https://hdl.handle.net/2123/24869 Thu, 04 Jun 2026 13:41:28 GMT 2026-06-04T13:41:28Z https://hdl.handle.net/2123/32786.2 Developing systems and capacities to protect animals in catastrophic fires. Sturman, Anna; Celermajer, Danielle; MacDonald, Freya; Verlie, Blanche; Heenan, Natasha; Schlosberg, David This report details the findings and recommendations from the Australian Government funded project "Developing systems and capacities to protect animals in catastrophic fires." The project interviewed over sixty people in the Shoalhaven region of NSW regarding their experiences trying to care for and protect wild, domesticated and farmed animals during the 2019/2020 bushfires. Wed, 29 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/2123/32786.2 2025-01-29T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/2123/33260 Stories are the Toolkit: Community-led Disaster Response, Recovery and Adaptation Webster, Scott; Pittaway, Emma; Gillies-Palmer, Zachary; Schlosberg, David; Longman, Jo; Howard, Amanda; Rawsthorne, Margot; Viney, Gemma; Verlie, Blanche; Celermajer, Danielle; Bailie, Jodie; Matous, Petr; Naderpajouh, Nader; Joseph, Pam; Iveson, Kurt; Troy, Jakelin ‘Stories are the Toolkit’ is a vignette series that illuminates the actions taken by communities as they faced recent disaster events. The stories are based on interviews with 68 individuals who, in their different ways, contributed to community-led response, recovery and adaptation across three regions in New South Wales: the Northern Rivers, the Hawkesbury and the Blue Mountains. The stories themselves are amalgamations. They blend and combine what people shared to highlight what is common among them all – despite the immense diversity of actions, experiences, places, people and backgrounds. The stories are not a comprehensive account of what communities did during and after the bushfires or floods. Rather, the stories included focus on what seems less visible and recognised when we think of community-led disaster response, recovery and adaptation. These vignettes highlight how different contributions can be made through various skillsets, in many ways enabling more visible actions like boat rescues to be taken. Each story demonstrates how communities often drew upon so-called ‘everyday’ social networks to coordinate support and to access skills, resources and local knowledges. In this sense, what is ‘ordinary’ is powerful and has made a profound difference for many people. The stories also highlight some of the difficulties people faced as well as how they worked around these difficulties. Having to ‘learn as you go’ was routinely cited as a key challenge. Many of those we interviewed said they now ‘feel like pros’, having had to put into practice their organising multiple times over. Others expressed a strong desire to learn from each other to improve how they respond to future challenges. This vignette series sustains and passes on such knowledge for other communities to inspire and reduce future disaster risk through shared experiences. Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/2123/33260 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/2123/33100 Empowering Communities, Harnessing Local Knowledges: Self-Organising Systems for Disaster Risk Reduction - Findings Report (April 2024) Webster, Scott; Pittaway, Emma; Gillies-Palmer, Zachary; Schlosberg, David; Matous, Petr; Longman, Jo; Howard, Amanda; Bailie, Jodie; Viney, Gemma; Verlie, Blanche; Celermajer, Danielle; Naderpajouh, Nader; Rawsthorne, Margot; Joseph, Pam; Iveson, Kurt; Troy, Jakelin The Self-Organising Systems to Minimise Future Disaster Risk – Findings Report is a collaborative effort between the Sydney Environment Institute and the University Centre for Rural Health, both at the University of Sydney, and community partner organisations in Plan C, Resilient Blue Mountains and Street Connect. It provides a comprehensive analysis of the pivotal role of self-organising systems in disaster risk reduction. Through extensive research conducted in the Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury, and Northern Rivers regions, the report illuminates key findings that can significantly influence and enhance disaster management strategies for the future. The report underscores the imperative of integrating self-organising principles into comprehensive disaster risk reduction strategies. By fostering stronger partnerships between government entities and local communities, meaningfully harnessing local knowledges, investing strategically in critical grey and social infrastructure, and implementing the recommended actions, communities can fortify their resilience and navigate the complexities of disasters with greater efficacy. Collaboration, proactive measures, and sustained support are essential components in building a more resilient and prepared future for all. Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/2123/33100 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/2123/32807 Preparing for emergencies with your animals: A community conversation guide. Sturman, Anna; Celermajer, Danielle; MacDonald, Freya; Verlie, Blanche; Heenan, Natasha; Schlosberg, David This guide will help you take the time with some trusted neighbours, family, friends or community members to make sure that your and their animals will be as safe as possible, come fire, flood, or other emergency. Wed, 17 Jul 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/2123/32807 2024-07-17T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/2123/26570 Tracking the international spread of SARS-CoV-2 lineages B.1.1.7 and B.1.351/501Y-V2 with grinch O'Toole, Áine; Hill, Verity; Pybus, Oliver G.; Watts, Alexander; Bogoch, Issac I.; Khan, Kamran; Messina, Jane P.; Tegally, Houriiyah; Lessells, Richard R.; Giandhari, Jennifer; Pillay, Sureshnee; Tumedi, Kefentse Arnold; Nyepetsi, Gape; Kebabonye, Malebogo; Matsheka, Maitshwarelo; Mine, Madisa; Tokajian, Sima; Hassan, Hamad; Salloum, Tamara; Merhi, Georgi; Koweyes, Jad; Geoghegan, Jemma L.; de Ligt, Joep; Ren, Xiaoyun; Storey, Matthew; Freed, Nikki E.; Pattabiraman, Chitra; Prasad, Pramada; Desai, Anita S.; Vasanthapuram, Ravi; Schulz, Thomas F.; Steinbrück, Lars; Stadler, Tanja; Parisi, Antonio; Bianco, Angelica; de Viedma, Darío García; Buenestado-Serrano, Sergio; Borges, Vítor; Isidro, Joana; Duarte, Sílvia; Gomes, João Paulo; Zuckerman, Neta S.; Mandelboim, Michal; Mor, Orna; Seemann, Torsten; Arnott, Alicia; Draper, Jenny; Gall, Mailie; Rawlinson, William; Deveson, Ira; Schlebusch, Sanmarié; McMahon, Jamie; Leong, Lex; Lim, Chuan Kok; Chironna, Maria; Loconsole, Daniela; Bal, Antonin; Josset, Laurence; Holmes, Edward C.; St. George, Kirsten; Lasek-Nesselquist, Erica; Sikkema, Reina S.; Munnink, Bas Oude; Koopmans, Marion; Brytting, Mia; Rani, V. Sudha; Pavani, S.; Smura, Teemu; Heim, Albert; Kurkela, Satu; Umair, Massab; Salman, Muhammad; Bartolini, Barbara; Rueca, Martina; Drosten, Christian; Wolff, Thorsten; Silander, Olin; Eggink, Dirk; Reusken, Chantal; Vennema, Harry; Park, Aekyung; Carrington, Christine; Sahadeo, Nikita; Carr, Michael; Gonzalez, Gabo; de Oliveira, Tulio; Faria, Nuno; Rambaut, Andrew; Kraemer, Moritz U. G. Late in 2020, two genetically-distinct clusters of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) with mutations of biological concern were reported, one in the United Kingdom and one in South Africa. Using a combination of data from routine surveillance, genomic sequencing and international travel we track the international dispersal of lineages B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 (variant 501Y-V2). We account for potential biases in genomic surveillance efforts by including passenger volumes from location of where the lineage was first reported, London and South Africa respectively. Using the software tool grinch (global report investigating novel coronavirus haplotypes), we track the international spread of lineages of concern with automated daily reports, Further, we have built a custom tracking website (cov-lineages.org/global_report.html) which hosts this daily report and will continue to include novel SARS-CoV-2 lineages of concern as they are detected. Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/2123/26570 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/2123/26563 Immune responses in COVID-19 respiratory tract and blood reveal mechanisms of disease severity Zhang, Wuji; Chua, Brendon Y.; Selva, Kevin J.; Kedzierski, Lukasz; Ashhurst, Thomas M.; Haycroft, Ebene R.; Shoffner, Suzanne K.; Hensen, Luca; Boyd, David F.; James, Fiona; Mouhtouris, Effie; Kwong, Jason C.; Chua, Kyra Y. L.; Drewett, George; Copaescu, Ana; Dobson, Julie E.; Rowntree, Louise C.; Habel, Jennifer R.; Allen, Lilith F.; Koay, Hui-Fern; Neil, Jessica A.; Gartner, Matthew; Lee, Christina Y.; Andersson, Patiyan; Seemann, Torsten; Sherry, Norelle L.; Amanat, Fatima; Krammer, Florian; Londrigan, Sarah L.; Wakim, Linda M.; King, Nicholas J.C.; Godfrey, Dale I.; Mackay, Laura K.; Thomas, Paul G.; Nicholson, Suellen; Arnold, Kelly B.; Chung, Amy W.; Holmes, Natasha E.; Smibert, Olivia C.; Trubiano, Jason A.; Gordon, Claire L.; Nguyen, Thi H.O.; Kedzierska, Katherine ABSTRACT Although the respiratory tract is the primary site of SARS-CoV-2 infection and the ensuing immunopathology, respiratory immune responses are understudied and urgently needed to understand mechanisms underlying COVID-19 disease pathogenesis. We collected paired longitudinal blood and respiratory tract samples (endotracheal aspirate, sputum or pleural fluid) from hospitalized COVID-19 patients and non-COVID-19 controls. Cellular, humoral and cytokine responses were analysed and correlated with clinical data. SARS-CoV-2-specific IgM, IgG and IgA antibodies were detected using ELISA and multiplex assay in both the respiratory tract and blood of COVID-19 patients, although a higher receptor binding domain (RBD)-specific IgM and IgG seroconversion level was found in respiratory specimens. SARS-CoV-2 neutralization activity in respiratory samples was detected only when high levels of RBD-specific antibodies were present. Strikingly, cytokine/chemokine levels and profiles greatly differed between respiratory samples and plasma, indicating that inflammation needs to be assessed in respiratory specimens for the accurate assessment of SARS-CoV-2 immunopathology. Diverse immune cell subsets were detected in respiratory samples, albeit dominated by neutrophils. Importantly, we also showed that dexamethasone and/or remdesivir treatment did not affect humoral responses in blood of COVID-19 patients. Overall, our study unveils stark differences in innate and adaptive immune responses between respiratory samples and blood and provides important insights into effect of drug therapy on immune responses in COVID-19 patients. Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/2123/26563 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/2123/25295 COVID-19, indigenous peoples, local communities and natural resource governance Walters, G.; Broome, N.P.; Cracco, M.; Dash, T.; Dudley, N.; El�as, S.; Hymas, O.; Mangubhai, S.; Mohan, V.; Niederberger, T.; Kema, C.A.N.-K.; Lio, A.O.; Raveloson, N.; Rubis, J.; Toviehou, S.A.R.M.; Vliet, N.V. We report on how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting Indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs), especially those who govern, manage and conserve their lands and waters. We explore the themes of access and use of natural resources, solidarity, decision-making, the role of governments and IPLCs in managing COVID-19, and the uptake of traditional medicine. These themes are explored through a global online survey in English, Spanish and French. We collected and analysed 133 surveys from 40 countries, using SenseMaker®, a software that enables analysis of micronarratives based on how respondents classify their own stories. We explore the themes further through case studies from Benin, Fiji, France, Gabon, Guyana, Guatemala, India and Madagascar, highlighting challenges and opportunities in how IPLCs responded to COVID-19. Our study underscores the importance of self-empowerment and recognition of IPLC rights, which allows them to use traditional medicines, meet subsistence requirements during lockdowns, help community members and neighbours to sustain livelihoods, and to govern, defend and conserve their territories. We propose key actions to support IPLCs navigate future pandemics while protecting their lands and waters. Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/2123/25295 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/2123/25207 Changing geographies of fashion during Covid‐19: The Australian case Brydges, Taylor; Heinze, Lisa; Retamal, Monique COVID-19 has impacted a range of industries, of which the fashion industry is no exception. Here, we examine the effects of COVID‐19 on the geographies of that industry in Australia. We use a path‐dependency framework to understand the evolution of the Australian fashion industry and to evaluate the impact of COVID‐19 as an external shock to this evolution. The Australian fashion industry has been hit particularly hard by the pandemic. Drawing upon a qualitative methodology and associated set of methods consisting of 24 semi‐structured interviews with key industry actors, we explore three key themes. First, we examine the impact of COVID‐19 on firm dynamics, investigating how fashion brands have navigated a period of significant uncertainty through a combination of highly nimble internal business practices and industry collaborations. Second, in light of unstable globalised supply chains, we consider the important role of local garment production in supporting industrial resilience. Third, we explore how changing consumption behaviours are altering the retail geographies of the Australian fashion industry in both physical and virtual spaces. Based on our analysis of preliminary results, we reflect on the suitability of an evolutionary approach in this context and outline a number of themes of future research. Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/2123/25207 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z