Prof Amisha Mehta has been recognised for excellence in disaster management research in the Office of the Inspector-General for Emergency Management (IGEM) Queensland’s International Women’s Day awards earlier in March.
A key researcher in several Natural Hazards Research Australia (the Centre) projects, Prof Mehta’s influence on the development of learning culture; championing of research and engagement within the sector; and tangible commitment to improving the delivery of disaster management practices were recognised with the award.
Inspector-General Alistair Dawson presented Prof Mehta with the honour at a ceremony at Government House in Brisbane on 18 March 2026.
According to Prof Mehta, her people-first approach to natural hazards research is what she believes ensures meaningful outcomes for people around Australia and the world.
"My research puts people are at the heart of risk and warning communication, which allows me to translate technical risk into trusted and meaningful information that supports community decision making during disasters," Prof Mehta said.
"It takes a team to design research to evidence change and I’ve had the great fortune of working with some of the best at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and internationally and we’ve had opportunities to work with government leaders to change policy and practice together."
She believes trust, particularly in a time of increasing dis- and misinformation, is at the heart of all emergency communications.
"Trust remains an important part of risk and crisis communication research so we can support communities to navigate uncertainty," Prof Mehta said.
"We continue to ensure data travels beyond our interviews, surveys, and field experiments and into the hands of decision -makers."
The IGEM International Women’s Day Awards celebrate excellence, leadership and advocacy across Queensland’s disaster management sector. The awards recognise women and allies who champion equality, foster inclusive workplaces, and strengthen disaster management capability across the state.
Centre Communications Director Ainsley Burgess, who attended the ceremony with Prof Mehta believes the award recognises the enormous impact of hazards communications research.
"Prof Mehta's contribution makes Australian communities tangibly safer, more resilient and sustainable in the face of increasing frequent and sever natural hazards," Ainsley said.
"Recognition from a respected organisation such as IGEM Queensland highlights the strength and impact of her work."
Prof Mehta is an award-winning researcher and expert in risk and crisis communication within the Faculty of Business and Law at QUT. As coeditor of the Disaster Resilience Handbook of Risk, Crisis, and Disaster Communication (2024), she is widely recognised for her people-centred research approach and her ability to translate complex evidence into practical, real world outcomes.
Her research has shaped national policy, strengthened safety outcomes for at-risk communities and advanced understanding of natural hazard communication through impactful projects with IGEM Queensland, the Centre, City of Moreton Bay and federal government agencies. Her leadership across major industry-funded research programs has earned her international recognition and significant partnerships.
Find out more about Prof Mehta’s work with the Centre here.