Rate My Professor Thomas Cooper-Johnson

Dr Thomas Cooper-Johnson is a Lecturer and Program Convenor for the Bachelor of Construction Management (Building) in the School of Architecture and Built Environment at the University of Newcastle's College of Engineering, Science and Environment. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Disaster Management, a Master of Disaster Preparedness and Reconstruction, and a Bachelor of Construction Management, all obtained from the University of Newcastle. His career commenced as an associate lecturer in the School of Architecture and Built Environment while completing his PhD. Previously, he collaborated with non-government organisations in South Asia, including fieldwork in Myanmar and Bangladesh partnered with Save the Children to assess long-term impacts of humanitarian projects on disaster risk reduction. He served as Project Officer at CIFAL Newcastle from January to November 2019, worked with the Secretariat of the Pacific Environmental Programme on disaster waste management training programs, and partnered with Australian volunteer agencies such as Rural Fire Services and State Emergency Service, along with local councils, on flood risk management.

Dr Cooper-Johnson's research focuses on building disaster resilience for vulnerable groups including refugees and internally displaced populations, improving humanitarian aid effectiveness for proactive disaster risk reduction, disaster waste management, local community involvement in aid, and addressing human drivers of risk such as urbanisation, environmental degradation, and inadequate infrastructure. His work has shaped humanitarian projects, enhanced health and sanitation via training, fostered community empowerment, and advocated cost-effective risk reduction strategies. He has received the 2023 Outstanding Contribution to Teaching Award, 2021 Community Engagement Excellence Award from the College of Engineering, Science and Environment, 2020 DVC-A Merit List for Exemplary Teaching, 2019 Best Science Communication Article at Irec Conference, 2018 Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment Postgraduate Research Prize in Building, and 2016 CIOB Australasia Excellent Building Postgraduate Award. Key publications include 'Shelter design and settlement planning of Bhasan Char Rohingya relocation program (BCRRP), Bangladesh' (Journal of Housing and the Built Environment, 2026), 'An institutional response framework to enhance disaster risk reduction: a public sector perspective' (Australian Journal of Emergency Management, 2025), 'Adaptive Flood Risk Management for Sustainable Development: A Case Study from Australia’s Hunter Region' (2026), 'Livelihood Recovery: Livelihood Approaches for Post-Disaster Reconstruction and Recovery' (2025), and 'BBB Concept' (2026). He supervises honours and PhD students on disaster risk reduction and has published in The Conversation.