Dr Emma Austin
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
School of Medicine and Public Health
- Email:emma.austin@newcastle.edu.au
- Phone:+61 2 49216104
Career Summary
Biography
Emma is currently employed as the Centre Manager at the Centre for Resources Health and Safetyat the University of Newcastle. In this role Emma provides support to the Centre's Chair, Associate Director and research staff, and coordinates and manages research and business projects. The role requires Emma to develop strategic partnerships with external organisations, particularly key industry groups in the resources sector.
Emma completed her PhD with the Centre for Water, Climate and Land. Emma's research investigated the environmental, social, health and economic effects of drought on rural communities in NSW. Emma’s research will improve understanding of how we can collectively support rural communities to pro-actively manage climate variability and improve the wellbeing of rural residents impacted by drought.
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Newcastle
- Bachelor of Environmental Science, University of Newcastle
- Bachelor of Environ Science & Mgmt (Honours), University of Newcastle
Keywords
- Adaptation
- Adaptive capacity
- Climate change
- Drought
- GIS
- Mental health
- Qualitative
- Quantitative
- Rural
- Wellbeing
Languages
- English (Mother)
Fields of Research
| Code | Description | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 049999 | Earth Sciences not elsewhere classified | 35 |
| 111714 | Mental Health | 35 |
| 050205 | Environmental Management | 30 |
Professional Experience
UON Appointment
| Title | Organisation / Department |
|---|---|
| Postdoctoral Research Fellow | University of Newcastle School of Medicine and Public Health Australia |
Professional appointment
| Dates | Title | Organisation / Department |
|---|---|---|
| 1/7/2017 - 30/5/2018 |
Research Assistant This role involved contributing to a literature review for a project focusing on the health impacts associated displacement as a result of extreme climatic events. |
Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle School of Medicine and Public Health Australia |
| 15/1/2010 - 20/12/2013 |
Research Assistant During my role as Research Assistant I worked on three National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility (NCCARF) funded projects (Drought and the Future of Small Inland Towns, Limits to Adaptation and Bridging the gap between end user needs and science capability: dealing with uncertainty in future scenarios) and a Strategic Research Initiative Funds project (Utilising climate science insights to inform climate change adaptation) funded by the Faculty of Science and Information Technology, UON. |
Faculty of Science and Information Technology, University of Newcastle School of Environmental and Life Sciences Australia |
| 1/2/2010 - 30/11/2012 |
Casual Tutor I have been a tutor and marker in the following courses:
During 2011 I also provided one-on-one tutoring through the Indigenous Tutorial Assistance Scheme. |
Faculty of Science and Information Technology, University of Newcastle School of Environmental and Life Sciences Australia |
Awards
Award
| Year | Award |
|---|---|
| 2018 |
National Council of Women NSW Australia Day Award National Council of Women NSW |
| 2017 |
Best HDR Engagement Award Faculty of Science | University of Newcastle | Australia |
Prize
| Year | Award |
|---|---|
| 2020 |
Royal Society of NSW PhD Scholarship Royal Society of New South Wales |
Teaching
| Code | Course | Role | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| GEOS2161 |
GIS and Remote Sensing Faculty of Science and Information Technology, University of Newcastle |
Casual Tutor | 1/2/2010 - 30/11/2012 |
| GEOS3250 |
Geographic Information Systems Faculty of Science and Information Technology, University of Newcastle |
Casual Tutor | 1/2/2010 - 30/11/2012 |
| GEOS2070 |
Climatology and Soils Faculty of Science and Information Technology, University of Newcastle |
Casual Tutor | 1/2/2011 - 30/11/2011 |
| GEOS3340 |
Resource Management and Climate Change Faculty of Science and Information Technology, University of Newcastle |
Casual Tutor | 1/2/2010 - 30/11/2012 |
| GEOS3280 |
Global Change Faculty of Science and Information Technology, University of Newcastle |
Casual Tutor | 1/2/2011 - 30/11/2011 |
Publications
For publications that are currently unpublished or in-press, details are shown in italics.
Chapter (1 outputs)
| Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 |
Verdon-Kidd DC, Kiem AS, Austin E, 'Bridging the gap between researchers and decision-makers', Applied Studies in Climate Adaptation, Wiley-Blackwell, Oxford, UK 51-60 (2015) [B1]
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Journal article (7 outputs)
| Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 |
Austin EK, Handley T, Kiem AS, Rich JL, Perkins D, Kelly B, 'Drought, Wellbeing and Adaptive Capacity: Why Do Some People Stay Well?', International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17 7214-7214 (2020)
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| 2020 |
Austin EK, Rich JL, Kiem AS, Handley T, Perkins D, Kelly BJ, 'The concerns about climate change among rural residents in Australia.', Journal of Rural Studies, 75 98-109 (2020) [C1]
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| 2018 |
Austin EK, Handley T, Kiem AS, Rich JL, Lewin TJ, Askland HH, et al., 'Drought-related stress among farmers: findings from the Australian Rural Mental Health Study.', The Medical journal of Australia, 209 159-165 (2018) [C1]
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| 2016 |
Kiem AS, Austin EK, Verdon-Kidd DC, 'Water resource management in a variable and changing climate: hypothetical case study to explore decision making under uncertainty', Journal of Water and Climate Change, 7 263-279 (2016) [C1]
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| 2014 |
Kiem AS, Verdon-Kidd DC, Austin EK, 'Bridging the gap between end user needs and science capability: Decision making under uncertainty', Climate Research, 61 57-74 (2014) [C1] © Inter-Research 2014. There is a recognised gap between what climate science can currently provide and what end users of that information require to make robust adaptation decisi... [more] © Inter-Research 2014. There is a recognised gap between what climate science can currently provide and what end users of that information require to make robust adaptation decisions about their climate-related risks. This issue has been identified as a major barrier to successful climate change adaptation outcomes and is emphasised within the water resource management and agricultural sectors because of high uncertainty surrounding precipitation projections. This paper details the outcomes of a survey and workshop aimed at better understanding this gap. To bridge the gap, it is recommended that communication and packaging of climate information be improved via a formalised 'knowledge broker'. It is also suggested that a 'terms of reference' for key climate change-related terms be developed and agreed upon by both climate science providers and end users to reduce the misuse of terminology and subsequent confusion. Further, it is recommended that additional research be conducted into natural variability and baseline risk to provide a realistic background on which climate change projections and associated uncertainties are assessed. Finally, for successful climate change adaptation, new tools and methods are needed that deal explicitly with end user needs and the practical limitations end users face (e.g. time, funding, human resources, politics) when attempting to make robust decisions under climate change-related uncertainty.
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| 2013 |
Kiem AS, Austin EK, 'Disconnect between science and end-users as a barrier to climate change adaptation', Climate Research, 58 29-41 (2013) [C1]
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| 2013 |
Kiem AS, Austin EK, 'Drought and the future of rural communities: Opportunities and challenges for climate change adaptation in regional Victoria, Australia', GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE-HUMAN AND POLICY DIMENSIONS, 23 1307-1316 (2013) [C1]
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| Show 4 more journal articles | |||||||||||
Conference (20 outputs)
| Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 |
Austin E, Rich J, Kiem A, Handley T, Perkins D, Kelly B, 'Concerns about climate change: the voice of rural New South Wales', Newcastle, Australia (2018)
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| 2016 |
Austin EK, Kiem AS, Rich JL, Perkins D, Kelly B, 'Drought, wellbeing and adaptive capacity in rural NSW', NCCARF Climate Adaptation 2016 Conference - Change, Challenge, Opportunity, Adelaide, Australia (2016)
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| 2016 |
Austin EK, Rich JL, Kiem AS, Handley TE, Perkins D, Kelly B, 'Rural peoples' concerns about climate change: findings from the Australian rural mental health study', NCCARF Climate Adaptation 2016 Conference - Change, Challenge, Opportunity, Adelaide, Australia (2016)
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| 2015 |
Austin E, Kiem AS, Perkins D, Rich J, Kelly B, 'Spatial analysis of drought and wellbeing in rural Australia', Brisbane, Australia (2015) [E3]
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| 2014 |
Austin EK, Kiem AS, 'Socio-cultural stresses associated with drought and rural communities in Australia', NCCARF Climate Adaptation 2014 Conference - Future Challenges, Gold Coast, Australia (2014) [E3]
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| 2013 |
Kiem AS, Verdon-Kidd DC, Austin E, 'Bridging the gap between end user needs and climate science capability: do we need a 'knowledge broker' and if so what should it look like?', Climate Adaptation 2013 Conference - knowledge + partnerships, Sydney, Australia (2013) [E3]
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| 2013 |
Verdon-Kidd DC, Kiem AS, Austin E, 'Bridging the gap between end user needs and science capability: decision making under uncertainty', Climate Adaptation 2013 Conference - knowledge + partnerships: Conference Abstracts, Sydney, Australia (2013) [E3]
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| 2013 |
Kiem AS, Verdon-Kidd DC, Austin E, 'Hypothetical case study to explore decision making under uncertainty for the water resource management sector', Climate Adaptation 2013 Conference - knowledge + partnerships: Conference Abstracts, Sydney, Australia (2013) [E3]
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| 2012 |
Verdon-Kidd DC, Kiem AS, Austin EK, 'Decision making under uncertainty - Bridging the gap between end user needs and science capability', Abstracts of the 2012 AGU Fall Meeting, San Francsisco, CA (2012) [E3]
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| 2012 |
Austin EK, Kiem AS, 'Quantification of the causes and magnitude of the disconnect between available climate information and the needs of rural community end users', Adaptation Futures - Second International Climate Change Adaptation Conference 2012. Program Book, Tucson, Arizona (2012) [E3]
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| 2012 |
Kiem AS, Austin EK, 'Water trading as a 'market-based' instrument (MBI) for climate change adaptation - do we really want it to do what it is designed to do?', Adaptation Futures - Second International Climate Change Adaptation Conference 2012. Program Book, Tucson, Arizona (2012) [E3]
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| 2012 |
Verdon-Kidd DC, Kiem AS, Austin EK, 'Communicating and dealing with uncertainty in climate change information - bridging the gap between science capability and end user needs', Adaptation Futures - Second International Climate Change Adaptation Conference 2012. Program Book, Tucson, Arizona (2012) [E3]
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| 2012 |
Verdon-Kidd DC, Kiem AS, Austin EK, 'Bridging the gap between end user needs and science capability: Dealing with uncertainty in future scenarios', Climate Adaptation in Action 2012: Sharing Knowledge to Adapt. Conference Handbook, Melbourne, Vic (2012) [E3]
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| 2012 |
Kiem AS, Austin EK, 'Barriers to effective implementation of positive climate change adaptation: Disconnects between science, policy and stakeholders', Climate Change 2012: Water and Climate: Policy Implementation Changes; Proceedings of the 2nd Practical Responses to Climate Change Conference, Canberra, ACT (2012) [E1]
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| 2012 |
Austin EK, Kiem AS, Verdon-Kidd DC, 'Bridging the gap between climate science capability and water resource management', 2012 Hydrology and Water Resources Symposium, Sydney, Australia (2012) [E1]
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| 2011 |
Kiem AS, Askew LE, Sherval M, Verdon-Kidd DC, Clifton C, Austin EK, et al., 'Drought and resilience: A case study of two rural communities in regional Victoria', Greenhouse 2011: The Science of Climate Change Conference Handbook, Cairns (2011) [E3]
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| 2011 |
Kiem AS, Verdon-Kidd DC, Austin EK, 'On the disconnect between climate science and climate change adaptation: Why aren't the insights and recommendations being implemented?', Greenhouse 2011: The Science of Climate Change Conference Handbook, Cairns (2011) [E3]
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| 2010 |
Kiem AS, Askew LE, Sherval M, Verdon-Kidd DC, Clifton C, Austin EK, et al., 'Drought and the future of small inland towns', 2010 International Climate Change Adaptation Conference. Conference Handbook, Gold Coast, QLD (2010) [E3]
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| 2010 |
Kiem AS, Askew LE, Sherval M, Verdon-Kidd DC, Clifton C, Austin EK, et al., 'Drought impacts and adaptation in regional Victoria, Australia', Southern Exposure. Australia-New Zealand Climate Forum 2010. Conference Handbook, Hobart, TAS (2010) [E3]
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| Show 17 more conferences | |||||
Report (4 outputs)
| Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 |
Kiem AS, Austin EK, 'Sustainable and thriving rural communities under climate change', Policy Information Brief 4, National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility (NCCARF), 6 pages (2016)
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| 2013 |
Verdon-Kidd DC, Kiem AS, Austin EK, 'Decision making under uncertainty: Bridging the gap between end user needs and climate science capability. Final Report to the National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility (NCCARF)', National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility (NCCARF), 116 (2013) [R1]
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| 2012 |
Kiem AS, Austin EK, 'Limits to adaptation. Limits and barriers to climate change adaptation for small inland communities affected by drought. Final report to the National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility (NCCARF)', National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility, 37 (2012) [R1]
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| 2010 |
Kiem AS, Askew LE, Sherval M, Verdon-Kidd DC, Austin EK, McGuirk PM, Berry HL, 'Drought and the future of rural communities: Drought impacts and adaptation in regional Victoria, Australia. Report for the National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility, Gold Coast, Australia', NCCARF: National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility, 122 (2010) [R1]
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Grants and Funding
Summary
| Number of grants | 2 |
|---|---|
| Total funding | $2,000 |
Click on a grant title below to expand the full details for that specific grant.
20201 grants / $1,000
Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research Publication Support$1,000
Funding body: Priority Research Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research (CBMHR)
| Funding body | Priority Research Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research (CBMHR) |
|---|---|
| Scheme | Infrastructure Grant |
| Role | Lead |
| Funding Start | 2020 |
| Funding Finish | 2020 |
| GNo | |
| Type Of Funding | Internal |
| Category | INTE |
| UON | N |
20181 grants / $1,000
2018 CRHS Project Support Funds$1,000
Funding body: Centre for Resources Health and Safety
| Funding body | Centre for Resources Health and Safety |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Emma Austin, Anthony Kiem, Jane Rich, David Perkins |
| Scheme | 2018 CRHS Project Support Funds |
| Role | Lead |
| Funding Start | 2018 |
| Funding Finish | 2018 |
| GNo | |
| Type Of Funding | Not Known |
| Category | UNKN |
| UON | N |
Research Supervision
Number of supervisions
Current Supervision
| Commenced | Level of Study | Research Title | Program | Supervisor Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | PhD | Quantifying Relationships Between Climate Extremes and Mental Health | PhD (Psychiatry), Faculty of Health and Medicine, The University of Newcastle | Co-Supervisor |
News
Farmers experiencing drought-related stress need targeted support
August 21, 2020
Farmers experiencing drought-related stress need targeted support
July 30, 2018
Dr Emma Austin
Position
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Centre for Resources Health and Safety
School of Medicine and Public Health
Faculty of Health and Medicine
Contact Details
| emma.austin@newcastle.edu.au | |
| Phone | +61 2 49216104 |
Office
| Room | Level 9 |
|---|---|
| Building | NIER A Block |
NEWS • Aug 21.2020
Farmers experiencing drought-related stress need targeted support
Farmers experience drought-related stress. Improving their mental health enhances adaptive capacity and resilience. Drought support must address relationships between drought and mental health
NEWS • Jul 30.2018
Farmers experiencing drought-related stress need targeted support
To better support farmers and their families we need to better understand the impact of drought on them and their communities.
Research Networks
- Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health
- Centre for Water, Climate and Land (CWCL)
- Centre for Resources Health and Safety (CRHS)