This paper examines the experiences of Aboriginal people and communities during the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires, capturing their stories and unique impacts. The author also explores the response by Aboriginal communities and organisations to reveal how these community and cultural governing institutions rallied to support communities and protect Country.

In early 2020, the Institute for Integrated Economic Research - Australia (IIER-A), in partnership with Global Access Partners (GAP), embarked on an 18-month long project to consider Australia’s resilience in the face of a changing world. This politically independent effort involved participants from all sectors, including retired federal and state politicians, and the heads of...

Persons with disabilities are more likely to be badly affected by disasters and be left behind in their wake. This panel discusses the importance of mainstreaming inclusive responses to ensure that disaster preparedness and responses ensure safety, security and rights for all.

Australia adopted hard lockdown measures to eliminate community transmission of COVID-19. Lockdown imposes periods of social isolation that contributes to increased levels of stress, anxiety, depression, loneliness, and worry. We examined whether lockdowns have similar psychosocial associations across rural and urban areas and whether associations existed between happiness and worry of loneliness in the initial...

Emergency recovery goes beyond survival. It is a complex process with potentially long-lasting impacts on people’s lives. Within research, policy and practice, there is a widespread assumption that preparing for a disaster has a positive impact on recovery. This report examines the emergency experiences of 165 people who lived through a disaster between 2008 and...