Research Title: Co-designing Disaster Preparedness: Tools of Engagement
Main Supervisor Matthew Hughes
Co-supervisors Julia Becker (Massey University)
Research interests
Brandy is very interested in community engagement and natural disasters. Particularly, how can communities prepare for natural hazards and increase community resilience. For her doctoral research, Brandy is working with an older person’s population in Invercargill, New Zealand to co-design resources for natural hazard preparedness, aiming to increase preparedness actions, such as storing water and making a plan. If you involve communities in preparedness, are they more likely to take preparedness actions?
Personal interests
Brandy is interested in disaster response and is part of the local Red Cross Disaster Welfare Support Team helping people after emergencies. Brandy is also interested in rock climbing, hiking, yoga and being outdoors. Brandy is also currently learning te reo Māori and raranga, the Māori art of weaving. She is also an avid traveller, even travelling to Antarctica.
Academic history
Doctoral Candidate, University of Canterbury, New Zealand: 2022 - Present
Master of Science in Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio, USA: 2011-2013
Bachelor of Science of Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio, USA: 2006-2011
Publications
2021 (Co-author) QuakeKit: Communicating Engineering Risks to Youth in the South Island of New Zealand, 2021 New Zealand Society for Earthquake Engineering
2014 (Co-author) Sampled-data output feedback control of uncertain nonholonomic systems in chained forms with applications to mobile robots, 2014 American Control Conference
2013 Sampled-data Output Feedback Control of Uncertain Nonholonomic Systems in Chained Forms, Master’s Thesis
