Our story
Growing community resilience to current and future risk through research and conversations.
The CEDRR methodology was developed by Dr Brian Cook, who believes that community engagement should be about more than just giving people information or telling them what to do. Through his own partnerships with members of the risk sector, Brian learned that it takes real meaningful human interactions - like conversations, storytelling, and sharing experiences - to engage people in ways that could contribute to actions being taken to reduce household risk.
And the research agrees.
Brian also believes that conversations about risk reduction should go both ways - communities know best the risks that are impacting them and have much to teach researchers and practitioners working in the risk sector.
After extensive experience in water resource management and flooding, Brian has concluded that participation must be embraced throughout the risk management process and by risk management agencies. It is not enough to engage communities after decisions about risk management have already been made.
The recognition of this need has prompted Brian to become an unapologetic advocate for community empowerment as a pragmatic response to the long-standing ineffectiveness of top-down, expert-driven forms of participation.
CEDRR originated as a collaborative project between researchers from the University of Melbourne and the Victoria State Emergency Services (VicSES), the Red Cross, and the Melbourne Fire Brigade. CEDRR has also received support from Melbourne Water, financial and in-kind support from VicSES, and in-kind support from the Australian Red Cross.
CEDRR initially conducted three in-person CEDRR case studies across Victoria: in Kensington (City of Melbourne); Whittlesea Local Government Area; and Kialla (City of Greater Shepparton).
A fourth pilot study with Banyule City Council and the University of the Third Age was adapted for virtual engagements in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which found that meaningful community engagement can be conducted online.
We are now nearing the end of a 5-year project with Melbourne Water that aims to better understand perceptions and preparedness for flood risk. Through this project we are undertaking one of the largest community engagements samples and building mutually beneficial research relationships with Kingston, Darebin and community groups across Melbourne.
Please get in contact if you would like to collaborate or have any further questions for our team.