Ursula Cochran is the recipient of the $10,000 grant funded by the Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake (NHC) and administered by the Science Communicators Association of New Zealand (SCANZ).

The award and its purpose

Fleur Templeton.

The award honours the legacy of late science communicator Fleur Templeton and celebrates excellence in communicating natural hazard risk reduction and resilience.

Fleur Templeton was a science communicator in NHC’s Resilience group and a long-time SCANZ member who mentored and inspired many in the field. She passed away in 2024.

“I’m pleased there’s an award to help [Fleur’s] legacy live on and I feel privileged to have the opportunity to do some science communication in her honour,” says Ursula, a Wellington-based geologist and science writer.

A new resource focused on wellbeing and resilience

Ursula has a long track record of communicating earthquake and tsunami science in ways that are accurate, engaging and grounded in the realities New Zealanders face.

She has written extensively about earthquake resilience and is known for combining scientific credibility with a human-centred style that helps people connect with risk and understand what they can do about it.

Ursula will use the award to develop a preventative wellbeing-focused resource centred on “living healthily with natural hazards”. It will explore proactive mental health and resilience strategies for people living with earthquake risk.

“I would love to create something that gives people a sense of agency over their own health and wellbeing in the face of natural hazards,” says Ursula.

She plans to profile a range of Wellingtonians, capturing diverse perspectives and practical strategies that can help people feel a greater sense of agency and preparedness.

Ursula will work with a clinical psychologist and experts in emergency management and natural hazards science to develop the resource, which will be free to access.

She will also use part of the grant to strengthen her skills in supporting wellbeing and resilience, including training such as Mental Health First Aid, as well as attending the SCANZ Conference in Christchurch this June.

A career grounded in science and people

Ursula brings deep experience from her 18 years as a research scientist in the earthquake geology team at GNS Science (now Earth Sciences NZ), where she helped discover evidence of past large earthquakes and tsunami at the Hikurangi Subduction Zone, and co-led research developing the long earthquake record on the Alpine Fault.

“My career has spanned a time when most New Zealanders didn’t know the Hikurangi Subduction Zone existed, to a time when many people living on the East Coast will have heard of it - and will know a tsunami could arrive within minutes of a large earthquake.

“Turning knowledge into action is empowering, and I never miss an opportunity to link people to preparedness measures they can take immediately,” says Ursula.

She also contributed to scientific responses to the 2003 Fiordland earthquake, 2011 Christchurch earthquake, and the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake, and has since continued to support public understanding through freelance science writing for organisations and outlets including Te Hiranga Rū QuakeCoRE, AF8, The Spinoff and Newsroom.

Why science communication matters

NHC Head of Research Dr Natalie Balfour says it’s important to support science communication because it plays a crucial role in ensuring research translates into real-world benefit for communities.

“When New Zealanders understand the risks, they face and the actions they can take, they’re better prepared for the stresses that come with natural hazard events. We’re proud to support Ursula to extend the reach and impact of her work.”

SCANZ President Kati Doehring adds, “Ursula’s work reflects the spirit of Fleur Templeton, combining generosity, clarity, and a deep commitment to public understanding. We’re thankful to NHC for funding this award to allow us to celebrate communicators whose work helps communities live well with risk.” 

Find out more:

Fleur Templeton memorial award(external link)

Science Communicators Association of New Zealand (SCANZ)(external link)