This is AIDR calling

Cyclone Narelle wended its way across the north of the country and down the west coast. The energy locked within that system to sustain it for so long, is immense. It is a reminder of the power of natural systems.

I was reflecting on International Women’s Day while reading a fabulous research article by the equally fabulous Susan Cutter and Kathleen Tierney: 'Grandmothers of invention: A commentary on fifty years of hazards and disasters research and practice in the United States'. In it, they examine 50 years of women’s contributions to understanding the impacts of disasters. It also got me thinking about some of our own ‘grand’ mothers of invention – Alison Cottrell, Linda Anderson Berry, Marion Leiba, Jane Sexton, Anita Dwyer, and Christine Owen – who have paved the way for the many, many outstanding women researchers shaping how we understand disasters. Hats off to you all.

I spent the day at the Critical Infrastructure Security Conference in Brisbane, hosted by the Department of Home Affairs. Although this conference was well outside of my comfort zone, it was very interesting when viewed through a systems and consequence approach to disasters. Many of the topics discussed – supply chain failures, the reliance on hyperconnectivity of systems, and the human and social impacts of systems failures – mirrored some of the Australian Journal of Emergency Management (AJEM) papers I have been reading from the second decade of the journal (1996-2005), and some of the issues that we highlight in Australia’s Riskscape Report.

I have had the privilege of participating in workshops organised by the AIDR team to examine cascading and compounding disasters in a recovery context. This has been an important piece of work, as it reflects the new reality.

The old recovery handbooks assumed that once a disaster occurred, you could follow a pathway through to recovery. Two things, among many, struck me. First, we need to recognise that compounding effects are not limited to hazards. For example, the compounding effects of COVID, or conflict, will impact recovery whether through a psychosocial lens or through the practical disruptions they cause to supply chains for rebuilding materials.

Secondly, there’s some discussion about the intended audience of the handbooks, with some questioning whether the contents will be directly useful for those they work with. The handbooks, however, are not intended to be all things to all people; they are the solid and reliable foundations upon which you can build and adapt. This is much like the unsung heroes of music: the bass player and the drummer. They provide the solid, predictable groove – the anchor upon which the front people will riff, with dazzling guitar work, and fine lyrics. The rhythm section rarely gets the kudos for making a song what it is.

One of the things we think about a lot is the role of place. Talking Head’s ‘This must be the place’ captures the joy of being connected to a place. And speaking of rhythm sections, Talking Heads’ Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz are incredible in making the Talking Heads sound.