Supervisors: Professor David Morrison (University of Western Australia and Dr Monica Minnegal (University of Melbourne).
Sondra's PhD research is analysing social networks to better understand how responses to bushfires are elicited in affected communities. She aims to explore whether relationships within communities are deliberately developed in response to actual or anticipated impacts of bushfires, and whether those deliberate attempts to develop relationships are thus intended for aid and support.
By establishing how social networks develop on account of the presence or potential of bushfires, the research aims to understand the level of fire preparedness already being undertaken in communities, with the capacity to provide additional or alternative methods for planning, prevention, and knowledge development.
Sondra has selected two "at risk" communities in Victoria to conduct her study, on the Otway Coast and in the Dandenong Ranges. These are two fire risk - but not immediately fire affected - regions. The first part of the fieldwork component will be spent in three semi-rural townships along the Otway Coast. The second part will be in three urban fringe townships in the Dandenongs.
