An EconoTimes perspective

Mel Taylor

Senior Lecturer in Organisational Psychology, Macquarie University

Senior Lecturer in Organisational Psychology, Macquarie University PhD in Applied Psychology (1995). Chartered Psychologist (UK). Research background in Aviation Human Factors and Occupational Psychology. Last 12 years working in risk perception, preparedness and protection, response, and risk communication - in the fields of natural disasters and emergencies, radiological/nuclear emergencies, human health emergencies (pandemics) and animal emergency diseases and zoonoses. Currently working in the areas of flood risk communication (public and emergency services driving through floodwater and general flood risk communication) and animal emergency management in disasters and emergencies (funded by Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC) - looking at animal owner behaviour, preparedness and response to bushfire/flood, and assisting emergency service agencies to improve their approaches to the management of animal owners and their animals/pets. Previous research is in biosecurity and uptake of (animal vaccination) in horse owners - related to Hendra virus (mainly) and equine influenza. Also in the psychosocial impacts of emergency animal diseases and the control responses to these diseases, e.g. quarantine, stigma.