Symposia overview
The Frontiers symposium "Empowering resilience: integrating innovation, sustainable communities, and climate adaptation strategies" took place from 1 to 3 October 2024 in Perth, Australia in partnership with the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering. The event brought together leading researchers, innovators and practitioners to explore innovative climate adaptation approaches and strategies across various sectors, emphasising social dimensions, and comprehensive disaster preparedness to foster sustainable and resilient communities.
The event offered a unique opportunity for delegates to connect and network with fellow experts from across the globe and engage with cross-cutting issues through three themes:
- Transformative innovations for climate adaptation
- Social strategies for climate adaptation and community resilience
- Integrated approaches for disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation
Symposium format
- Event structure: at the core of the event the were three cross-cutting, challenge-led sessions that bridge different disciplines.
- Participants arrived: evening of 30 September, with a welcome dinner and networking.
- Participants were: from all disciplines (i.e. not just for engineers!) and sectors, and from all around the world.
- Event cost: there was no cost to participants for attending the event! We welcomed a diverse group of participants and offer to cover your travel, accommodation and subsistence costs during the event. We can also cover the costs of most access needs and/or to replace any usual caring responsibilities you may have. If this will help you participate in the event, please contact the team to discuss your circumstances in confidence. Please note: we do not cover usual salary costs.
Post-event funding
Seed funding of up to £20,000 over one year is going to be awarded to successful collaboration bids from the symposium, designed to strengthen collaborations developed at the symposium.
Event chairs
Professor Lyn Beazley AO FAA FTSE
University of Western Australia
Lyn Beazley is a neuroscientist and educator, influential in national policy development and active within the broader community. From 2006 to 2013 Lyn was Chief Scientist of Western Australia, a role in which she advised Government on science, innovation, and technology. Lyn has served on numerous boards and committees, including those of the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council and the Australian Research Council. Currently Lyn is a member of the Council of the Australian Academy of Science as the Secretary for Education and Public Awareness, as well as serving on the Boards of the National Blood Authority and of the Royal Institution of Australia (RiAus).
Lyn was awarded Officer of the Order of Australia in 2009. Lyn is a Fellow of both the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering and the Australian Academy of Science and is a Companion of the Institute of Engineers (Australia).
Professor Simon Pollard OBE DSc FREng
Emeritus Professor, Cranfield University
Simon is an emeritus professor at Cranfield University and specialist in environmental risk management. Up until April 2024, he was accountable for international relations and corporate resilience at the University, having previously led the School of Water, Energy and the Environment. His research in risk, resilience and the green economy has been repeatedly funded over the last 25 years by the US Water Research Foundation, the UK Research Councils and UK Government, among others. He gained his DSc through publication in 2009, was elected to FREng in 2017 and awarded an OBE in the 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honours list for championing the management of environmental risk.