Climate change escalates natural disaster risks globally and in Australia. The ClimatePods project sought to address this challenge by developing innovative tools for community-level disaster preparedness, focusing on empowering existing social networks.

Current Australian disaster preparedness resources focus on individual households, formal community groups or place-based communities. These models often rely on formal agency involvement, requiring significant time investment and attracting primarily well-off participants. This approach can exclude those with work or caring responsibilities and may not adequately address diverse community needs.

ClimatePods targets a critical gap: preparedness at the relational community-of-interest level. These naturally occurring social networks —such as friendship circles or extended family groups—possess high levels of bonding social capital. Leveraging existing relationships, reciprocity and trust, these groups can mobilise quickly during and after crises and provide crucial social support.

In the ClimatePods project, Katie collaborates with Dr Sophie Yates (ANU) and Dr Elise Remling (UC).