Coastal Scientist a Young Tall Poppy
Associate Professor Hannah Power has been awarded a 2021 Young Tall Poppy from the Australian Institute of Policy and Science (AIPS).
A coastal scientist, Hannah is committed to sharing her research with the broader public and policy makers to ensure that we understand the challenges a coastal nation such as Australia faces in a changing climate.
Hannah is passionate about communicating her science to the public, whether that's through school visits engaging the next generation of scientists, or on the NSW Coastal Council where she plays a valued role providing independent advice to the government on coastal management and science-related issues.
The Young Tall Poppy Awards honour young scientists who combine world-class research with a passion for communicating science. Our University has a strong history of success in these awards since they were established in 2000.
Hannah studies coastal morphology, how our coastlines are constantly changing. With 85% of the Australian population living within 50 kilometres of the coast, our identity is strongly tied to the beach and how we use it.
Hannah's work explores how we balance the need to protect the amenities of the beach and the area behind it with the challenges of all the vested interests: swimmers, surfers, residents, local and state governments. It's a delicate balance.
Because it's such a complex topic, it's vital for scientists such as Hannah to constantly communicate the challenges of coastal management. "It’s really important that we understand the environment before delivering engineering solutions to problems," Hannah says.
The Young Tall Poppy Award is yet another accolade that Hannah has gathered, after being awarded a Superstar of STEM earlier this year.
"It's really humbling and exciting to be recognised for doing something you love," Hannah said. "I'm blown away to receive this award, and hope it shines a greater spotlight on coastal science and the challenges we are continuing to face."
Learn more about Hannah's work here.
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The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.