Highly Commended - Individual Nominations
Research plays a vital role in the ongoing development and continuous improvement of the disaster management sector in Queensland. Feedback from the Queensland disaster management sector, collected during the first three years of the establishment of the Office of the IGEM, indicated that research had not always met the unique context of Queensland's hazard and risk profile, was difficult to access and translate into practice.
In 2016, Allison, with the support of the Inspector-General, developed a body of work that was to become the Queensland Disaster Management Research Framework (DMRF), a niche collective that brings together local and state government disaster management practitioners, not-for-profit originations and researchers whose work can positively impact the disaster management sector. In 2018, Allison, through the IGEM, was invited to submit the DMRF as a chapter in the updated State Disaster Management Plan, that would embed research into state disaster management policy and practice.
The success of the Framework has largely been dependent on Allison's experience and working knowledge across both sectors, her vision for what opportunities are possible now and into the future, the relationships she has forged during this time, her ability to bring together and facilitate partnerships for joint projects that address needs and issues raised with her in the past. Her contribution to mapping the respective sectors, current research and to link this with key strategic policy at all levels has provided all individuals involved with an accurate illustration of what research is currently underway, where additional effort may be required to fill gaps and who can play a role.
The Framework will be showcased at the inaugural Disaster Management Research Forum in Brisbane on 1 July 2020, coinciding with the United Nations sponsored Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference for Disaster Risk Reduction.
Collection of co-authored papers stemming from Allison’s work in the disaster management sector
