OPAIC academics are teaming up with researchers from throughout New Zealand and the world to improve disaster responses.

Research Director and Head of IT Farhad Mehdipour and two other researchers from OPAIC will work on the project alongside colleagues from Otago Polytechnic, Massey University, and Waikato University. They will be joined by researchers from Sojo University in Japan as well as industry experts from Sendai BOSAI-TECH in Japan.

Farhad says the research is all about supporting evacuees who need to shelter in vehicles or homes during disasters.

“The aim is to improve disaster response, particularly for isolated and indigenous communities, while creating a scalable model for global disaster preparedness,” says Farhad.

The team has just applied for funding for the project via the MBIE Catalyst Fund. The fund supports activities that initiate, develop and foster collaborations which take advantage of international science and innovation for New Zealand’s benefit.