Australia has been known for decades as the land “of droughts and flooding rains”, but as the frequency and severity of droughts and floods increasingly impact lives and livelihoods, we consider how decision-makers at all levels can respond to this worsening situation with policy tools.

Please join us on the morning of Thursday 11 September at ANU in Canberra or online for the ANU Disaster Solutions Update 2025.

Event Recordings: 

• Welcome and Keynote presentation
• Panel 1
• Panel 2
• UNICEF Australia report launch

Dr Jason Alexandra presented the Update, exploring how we can break out of the disaster-recovery cycle and accelerate planning for a changed climate. We will then host two panel discussions – the first on flood solutions and the second on drought resilience.

Then UNICEF Australia and Deloitte Access Economics will join us to launch their report "The economic and social impacts of disasters on children and young people in Australia."

Hear from distinguished speakers:

• Professor Lachlan Blackhall, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), The Australian National University

• Dr Jason Alexandra, Research Fellow, ANU Institute for Climate, Energy & Disaster Solutions

• Associate Professor Roslyn Prinsley, Lead, Disaster Solutions in the ANU School of Engineering and former Head of Disaster Solutions at ANU Institute for Climate, Energy & Disaster Solutions

• Dr Kirsty Wissing, Research Fellow, ANU School of Culture, History & Language

• Tony Webster, Visiting Fellow, ANU Institute for Climate, Energy & Disaster Solutions

• Carolyn Hall, CEO, The Mulloon Institute

• Professor Lorrae van Kerkhoff, a Professor at the Fenner School of Environment and Director of the ANU Institute for Water Futures

• Dr Hannah Feldman, Research Fellow, ANU Institute for Water Futures and ANU School of Cybernetics

• Dr Steven Lade, ARC Future Fellow, ANU Fenner School of Environment & Society

• Katie Maskiell, Head of Policy and Advocacy, UNICEF Australia

• Nishadh Rego, Head of Climate, UNICEF Australia

• David Rumbens, Partner, Deloitte Access Economics

• Lincoln Ingravalle, UNICEF Australia Young Ambassador

Download event program here.

Co-hosted by ANU Institute for Climate, Energy & Disaster Solutions, ANU Institute for Water Futures, and UNICEF Australia.

More information:

• This is a hybrid event with the option to attend in-person at The Australian National University or online.
• The event will be recorded and made available online.
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