Keynote Speakers

Dr John F Schneider, Risk Research Group Leader, Geohazards Division Geoscience Australia, Canberra

Geoscience Australia is developing a capability in tsunami risk assessment, including inundation modelling. It is also facilitating the development of an Indian Ocean tsunami risk assessment capability through the new Intergovernmental Coordination Group for an Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System. Dr Schneider’s paper will focus on the issue of coastal risk assessment, with a particular reference to tsunami.

After graduating from the Civil Engineering Faculty of Nagoya University, Dr Takahashi joined the Port and Harbor Research Institute of the Ministry of Transport of Japan and has more than 30 years of experience in coastal and harbor engineering research including disaster prevention studies on coastal zones. He has also been deeply involved in the design and construction of coastal and harbor facilities in Japan and other countries through participation on technical advisory committees.

Dr Takahashi’s paper will address the subject of “Tsunami Disasters and Their Prevention in Japan ? Toward the performance design of coastal defenses”

Dr Nehal Karim, Professor, Department of Sociology, University of Dhaka , Bangladesh

Professor Nehal Karim has published widely on disaster impact and mitigation., and on the physical and sociological impacts of natural disasters, particularly floods and storm surges, exacerbated by poverty and his books “The Emergence of Nationalism in Bangladesh” and “Exploitation, Domination and Alienation: The Genesis of Bangladesh” have achieved wide reputation. He will address the subject of “Cyclonic Storms in the Coastal Areas of Bangladesh: Consequential Effects on Socio-Economic Situation”.