News and events

Unpacking climate adaptation

September | Online

Where does climate mitigation end and adaptation start, howcan we implement these strategies today, and what is the role of imagination infacing climate impacts? The Creators for Climate sat down with CRI’s A/Prof Johanna Nalau, an adaptation scientist and contributor to the International Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) reports, to learn more about climate adaptation.

As she explained, it’s not just about reducing emissions any more...the effects of climate change are here. Adaptation is our chance to prepare for what's coming and rethink our relationship with nature. Johanna puts it simply:

Adaptation is about making better decisions today, to keep us safer in the future.

Watch the full conversation on YouTube

Recent Grant Wins

Quantum 2032 Challenge: $492,900 - CRI and Data61, CSIRO, have secured $492,900 in funding for the project Quantum Optimisation of Transport and Logistics for Brisbane 2032. This research aims to explore quantum optimisation of pedestrian movements around stadiums and introduce transport planning agencies to quantum technologies.

NEMA Disaster Ready Fund: $412,464 - Project How are we reducing heat-health risk in Queensland and how will we know? has been awarded $412,464 in funding through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Disaster Ready Fund (DRF). This project will assess which Heat Risk Resilience Actions (HRRAs) have been implemented across Queensland’s Local Government Areas (LGAs); develop a comprehensive HRRA model to guide LGAs in managing heat-health risks; and, create a framework to quantify and report heat-health impacts, empowering Queensland to deliver real-time risk communications and strengthen community resilience.

DECRA 2025: $452,019 - Congratulations to CRI Adjunct Research Fellow Dr Christopher Ambrey on securing $452,019 in total funding for project, On the Hardship that is Homelessness, one of the 200 early career researchers named in the latest round of Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRAs). Homelessness is a global human rights issue that persists even in nations with the resources to address it. Chris’s study aims to generate new insights by investigating: how individuals fall into and climb out of homelessness; the impact of homelessness on wellbeing; and how these impacts change over time as individuals remain homeless. Leveraging underutilised longitudinal data and advanced nonlinear panel data techniques, the research will fill crucial knowledge gaps and inform real-world service practices and policy changes.

A Grand Tour: Decarbonising Olympic transport

July - October | Paris, France and London, United Kingdom

PhD research isn’t just at a desk. It can take candidates far and wide. We asked PhD candidate Anais Fabre to share her recent Olympic travels:

During the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics, I conducted field work exploring whether the Games can serve as a catalyst for decarbonising host cities' transport systems. My PhD research, supervised by A/Prof Michael Howes, Dr Ayşın Dedekorkut-Howes, and Dr Millicent Kennelly, involves a three-way case study of the London 2012, Paris 2024, and Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.

In Paris, I used participant observation to study access to Olympic sites, low-emission transport options, and how the city’s mobility system handles increased patronage during the Games. I also conducted interviews with key stakeholders, and audited how the mobility system works with the extra patronage during the Games and the role of transport decarbonisation projects. I then travelled to London in September to gather data on the 2012 Games’ legacy.

A highlight was presenting my research at the 11th International Sport Business Symposium in Paris on August 8th. My talk, Delivering Climate-Positive Olympic Games: How Can Urban Transport Play Its Part?, highlighted the economic, policy and social factors influencing transport emissions in host cities. Griffith University was an academic partner of the event, and it was a great opportunity to connect with colleagues from around the world.

Flowing together: HDR on research-industry colabs

July, Hamilton Island

PhD candidate Sam Guy recently co-presented a paper at the Australian Water Association North Queensland Conference on Hamilton Island. The presentation, Navigating Water Resilience: Partnerships for Demand Management (nominated for Best Paper) supported the conference theme “Unearthing the hidden gems of the water industry in the north: showcasing excellence and sharing opportunities for progress”.

Sam drew from her industry experience in water conservationto explore how research-industry partnerships can drive real progress in water efficiency. She showcased preliminary literature review findings from her PhD research, to highlight the necessity of moving beyond token stakeholder / community engagement towards true collaboration, especially in the context of managing water demand in remote Australian communities. As an Australian Water Association Young Water Professional Sub-Committee Member, Sam enjoyed the opportunity of representing fellow Young water professionals among the list of speakers for the conference.

Wonder of Science: HDRs visit central Qld

August | Central Queensland

Over the past few months, PhD candidate Cassidy Winter has been actively contributing to the Wonder of Science initiative, a program based at UQ and supported by Griffith University, aimed at promoting a STEM culture in Queensland schools. The program, recognised by the Falling Walls Engage and Eureka Prize awards, sends PhD candidates and postdocs into classrooms to inspire the next generation of scientists.

In August, Cassidy and her Wonder of Science colleague Heshani (QUT) travelled through Central Queensland, engaging students from Emerald, Gladstone, and Rockhampton. They explored the scientific method through hands-on projects like building seismographs and experimenting with optimal conditions for seed growth—all while embedding STEM concepts into the curriculum.

Reflecting on her experience, Cassidy shared, “It’s been a real adventure, and a great way to get out there, practice public speaking, and meet some of the scientists of tomorrow.”

Cassidy’s dedication has been recently recognised by Griffith Sciences. She was Highly Commended in the 2024 Student Impact awards.

International Visitors for Logan Mini-Farm

April, Logan

Indonesian delegates recently visited The Mini Farm Project at Loganlea State High School to learn about EBE and CRI efforts in urban food planning led by Dr Kim Reis. This event was organised by the Australia Awards in Indonesia short course on Building Modern Cities, led by Dr Ayşın Dedekorkut-Howes, with Dr Tony Matthews.

The farm showcases two key initiatives - providing emergency food relief to charitable organisations in Logan to relieve hunger; and upskilling youth with essential food production skills to improve their long-term food resilience. The visit underscored the pressing issue of food insecurity. Foodbank Australia’s Hunger Report 2023 revealed that 3.7 million Aussie households faced disruptions to their eating patterns such as skipping meals, reduced food quality or quantity. This reality surprised the Indonesian delegates, considering Australia’s wealth.

Through the 'shared responsibility' framework of disaster resilience, we aim to expand this model across Queensland to combat food insecurity and build food resilience.

IPCC Scoping Meeting Invitation

April, Latvia

Associate Professor Johanna Nalau was one of the 95 scientists chosen from 1300 nominations to attend the meeting to draft the outline of the International Panel on Climate Change Special Report on Climate Change and Cities. This report is expected to be released in early 2027 and will be the only special report produced in the seventh assessment cycle.

2nd Asia Pacific SDEWES Conference

April, Gold Coast

Professor Rodney Stewart, Professor Cara Beal, Senior Research Fellow Dr Oz Sahin, and PhD candidate Md. Esraz Ul Zannat joined over 200 other scientists, researchers and experts in the field of sustainable development to present their latest research focusing on sustainbable development of energy, water, and environment systems.

Where the Shade Hits the Pavement Summit

March, Brisbane

Dr. Ruby Michael inspired the audience at Where the Shade hits the Pavement, Green and Blue Urban Planning and Development Summit with her presentation Throwing shade: The opportunity to rebuild flourishing ecosystems in a range of settings. GIRLS and CRI’s supported the City Green as an event partner and with 20 Griffith University future leaders from a range of ecology, engineering and urban planning disciplines attending.