Rural Crime, Justice and Disaster: Impacts, Response and Recovery
(Ended 29th Nov 2023)

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Join us for an eye-opening event exploring the relationship between disaster, crime, and EM emphasising prevention, response, and recovery.

By University of New England, Centre for Rural Criminology & the ISSRC

Wed, 29 Nov 2023 7:45 AM – 8:30 PM AEDT

University of New England (Lewis Lecture Theatre :CO28)
Elm Avenue Armidale, NSW 2350 Australia

This symposium explores the various types of disasters and how they impact rural areas, including pandemics, natural disasters, biosecurity, economic crises, and political turmoil. These events have significant effects on the social, environmental, and economic aspects of rural communities. The symposium’s focus is on the connection between these disasters and crime, with an emphasis on preventing, responding to, and recovering from them. By bringing together leading scholars, practitioners, policymakers, and interested parties, we hope to encourage collaboration and partnerships that will result in practical solutions with applicability in Australia and internationally.

Why Attend?

• Expert Insights: Hear directly from a curated lineup of industry leaders, researchers, and practitioners who are at the forefront of rural crime and disaster studies and emergency management.
• Collaborative Opportunities: Engage in meaningful dialogues, forge new partnerships, and identify avenues for cross-collaboration on projects that can make a tangible difference.
• Cutting-Edge Topics: Stay updated with the latest research, trends, and strategies in rural crime prevention, emergency management, and community safety.
• Networking: Connect with a diverse group of attendees, from academics to practitioners, and expand your professional network.
• Practical Solutions: Gain actionable insights and tools that can be applied in real-world scenarios to foster resilient, safe, and united rural communities.
• Shape the Future: Play an active role in discussions that will shape future research, policies, and interventions in the realm of rural crime and disaster management.

Our Symposium offers a unique platform for attendees to exchange insights, collaborate, and identify pathways for joint initiatives, fostering resilient, safe, and united rural communities.

Speakers

We’re proud to showcase a stellar lineup of academic and applied experts in rural crime and disaster and emergency management. Meet our esteemed speakers:

• Dr. Alistair Harkness – Codirector, Centre for Rural Criminology, University of New England
• Dr. Kyle Mulrooney – Codirector, Centre for Rural Criminology, University of New England
• Peter Thurtell – Deputy Commissioner of Police, Emergency Management, New South Wales Police Force
• Director General – National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) [TBC]
• Emeritus Professor Joseph F. Donnermeyer – The Ohio State University and Adjunct at the University of New England
• Dr. Marg Camilleri – Criminology and Criminal Justice, Federation University
• Assoc Prof Bridget Harris – Monash Gender and Family Violence Prevention Centre; Monash Criminology, Monash University
• Prof Anna Eriksson – Monash Criminology, Monash University
• Dr. Chloe Keel – Monash Gender and Family Violence Prevention Centre, Monash University
• Dr. Naomi Pfitzner – Monash Gender and Family Violence Prevention Centre; Monash Criminology, Monash University
• Distinguished Professor Rob White – University of Tasmania and Adjunct Professor of Criminology, University of New England
• Dr. Cassie Pedersen – Criminology and Criminal Justice, Federation University
• Prof Reece Walters – Criminology, Deakin University
• Dr. Laura Bedford – Deakin University
• Dr. Andrew Lawson – Deputy Director AgLaw Centre, University of New England
• Dr. Tarah Hodgkinson – Wilfrid Laurier University, Canada
• Dr. Andrew Groves – Flinders University
• Dr. Jessica Peterson – Assistant Lecturer, Southern Oregon University
• The Hon Simon Finn – Former Minister, Queensland Parliament [TBC]

Key Topics

Delve deep into pressing issues and innovative solutions at our symposium. Here are the pivotal topics and themes we’ll be exploring:

• Rural Crime and Disaster Dynamics: Understanding the unique challenges and implications for government and society.
• Policing Natural Disasters: A deep dive into the police response to natural disasters and the unique challenges faced in rural America.
• Access to Justice in Disasters: Delving into the deeper consequences of disasters in a rural context and their impact on justice.
• Supporting Vulnerable Populations: Strategies for police response to people with disabilities during disasters.
• Intersections of Violence: Exploring the links between rurality, family violence, and animal cruelty.
• Safety in Regional Contexts: Analysing perceptions of safety in regional communities and lessons from lockdowns.
• Environmental Challenges: Addressing climate change implications for criminal justice and the changing character of environmental crime in rural Australia.
• Animals in Disasters: A non-speciesist criminological analysis of animals during calamities.
• Politics of Bushfires: Unraveling the complexities of ecocide, climate criminals, and the politics surrounding bushfires.
• Community Recovery: Strategies and insights into community recovery post-disaster.
• Substance Use Post-Disaster: Understanding the complexities and impacts of alcohol and other drug usage in post-disaster circumstances.
• Political and Community Reactions: Analysing the aftermath of disasters and the political and community responses that follow.

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