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Academic is a finalist for Eureka Prize
University of the Sunshine Coast academic Professor Tim Smith is in the running to win a prestigious Australian Museum Eureka Prize later this month.
Professor Smith worked with representatives from the Sydney Coastal Councils Group and the CSIRO Climate Adaptation National Research Flagship over the past three years to assess Sydney’s ability to adapt to climate change.
The team’s research project is one of three finalists for the “Innovative Solutions to Climate Change” category of the annual awards to be presented in Sydney on Tuesday 18 August.
The project, entitled “Systems Approach to Regional Climate Change Adaptation Strategies in Metropolises”, was funded by the Australian Government’s Department of Climate Change.
It aims to build the adaptive capacity of local governments to reduce the vulnerability of communities, businesses and others groups to likely climate change impacts, such as sea level rises and increased bushfire risk.
Professor Smith is the Director of the Sustainability Research Centre at USC.
He said he was excited about joining more than 900 leaders of government, science, industry, academia and the media at the Eureka Prize awards night.
“This black tie event celebrates outstanding achievements in scientific research and innovation,” he said. “It’s like the Oscars of Australian science.”
Professor Smith and other USC academics are currently involved in a similar climate change adaptation project for South East Queensland, involving the Queensland and Australian Governments, the CSIRO Climate Adaptation National Research Flagship, the University of Queensland and Griffith University.
— Terry Walsh