RESEARCH INTERESTS
SCIENCE & MATHEMATICS EDUCATION
As a research community, we create new knowledge every day, but this alone does not affect change. I am very interested in exploring ways to incorporate new research into educational settings and ways to link research teams with pre-tertiary teachers. This is related to interweaving indigenous knowledge and knowledge systems with Western Science, innovative ways of teaching, interdisciplinary teaching, and experiential learning. I am always happy to discuss ways of supporting informal or formal education through workshops, development of resources, or trialling new pedagogies!
COMMUNITY RESPONSES TO ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS
Education about hazards, communication methods, and warning prior to an environmental hazard all influence how community members respond to unfolding events. Information available to communities helps guide responses, which also affect recovery post-event. I work with communities to ensure they understand their hazards, how they can prepare, and are aware of ongoing research that could impact their lives. Often, this takes the form of open community discussions. Another theme of my research involves gathering lessons from stakeholders and community members after an event. This research can help inform preparation for events.
LAVA FLOW HAZARD (INCLUDING ANALOGUE LAVA FLOW MODELLING & MODELLING LAVA FLOW PROCESSES)
Lava flows are traditionally considered binary hazards, meaning that any structure in contact with a lava flow is fully destroyed. The converse is also assumed true: no contact means no damage. This paradigm influences how stakeholders prepare and recover from effusive eruptions although the binary hazard assumption has not been rigorously tested. Some of my recent research has shown that buried infrastructure (which will only very rarely be in direct contact with a lava flow) can still be damaged by the heat transferred from a flow into the ground. I am interested in expanding this research beyond thermal hazards and buried infrastructure.