The Launch of 'River of Emotions': A New Lens on Children's Disaster Experiences

In a timely release amid ongoing discussions about resilience in Aotearoa New Zealand, University of Auckland Professor Emeritus Carol Mutch has published River of Emotions: Children and Young People Making Sense of Disasters. This comprehensive book, issued by the New Zealand Council for Educational Research (NZCER) in 2025, draws from over a decade of fieldwork to illuminate how children navigate the turbulent waters of post-disaster emotions. Mutch's work challenges the narrative of children as mere victims, instead portraying them as active participants exhibiting courage, compassion, creativity, and even humour in the face of adversity.

The publication arrives as New Zealand reflects on its history of natural calamities, from the devastating 2010-2011 Canterbury earthquakes to more recent events like Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023. By centring children's perspectives through drawings, writings, interviews, and observations, the book offers invaluable insights for educators, parents, and policymakers striving to support young minds in crisis.

🌊 The Powerful Metaphor: Sailing on a River of Emotions

At the heart of the book lies a poignant metaphor coined by a child during the Canterbury earthquakes: "sailing on a river of emotions." This vivid image encapsulates the unpredictable flow of feelings—fear, grief, anger, hope—that young people experience after disasters. The child elaborated that the journey led "to calmer seas," symbolising eventual recovery through support and time.

Christchurch students illustrated this with drawings of the double-masted schooner Tuhoe, representing their collective navigation through turmoil. Mutch uses such expressions to demonstrate how children process trauma non-verbally, providing a framework for adults to better understand and validate these experiences. This approach underscores the book's dual purpose: practical guidance for caregivers and methodological tools for researchers studying children coping with disasters.

Carol Mutch: A Pioneer in Disaster Education at University of Auckland

Carol Mutch, originally from New Zealand's West Coast, brings a rich background as a primary school teacher, educational leader, policy advisor for UNESCO, and now Emeritus Professor in the Faculty of Arts | Te Roopū Rakahi | Faculty of Education at the University of Auckland. Her research portfolio includes seminal works like the 2013 paper "Sailing through a river of emotions: Capturing children's earthquake stories," which laid the groundwork for this book.

Mutch has earned accolades, including a research excellence medal for her studies on schools' roles in disaster recovery. Her publications, such as The Canterbury Earthquakes: Stories from Cashmere Primary School, highlight collaborative university-school-community partnerships. For those interested in advancing in this field, opportunities abound in higher education research jobs at institutions like the University of Auckland.

Through Te Whakatere au Pāpori Research Unit, Mutch's contributions position the University of Auckland as a leader in disaster education research, blending policy, pedagogy, and youth wellbeing.

From Canterbury Quakes to Global Insights: Disasters Covered

The narrative arcs from New Zealand's 2010-2011 Canterbury earthquakes, which claimed 185 lives and shook the nation, through the 2011 Japan triple disaster (earthquake, tsunami, nuclear meltdown) and the 2015 Nepal earthquake, culminating in Covid-19 reflections in Aotearoa. Each case reveals patterns in children coping with disasters: initial shock giving way to mutual support, creativity, and activism.

• Canterbury Earthquakes: Student Volunteer Army formed, young filmmakers documented recovery.
• Japan 2011: Children expressed loss through art amid ongoing radiation fears.
• Nepal 2015: Youth rebuilt communities, showing adaptability in rubble.
• Covid-19 NZ: Letter-writing campaigns connected isolated children with elders.

Recent events like Cyclone Gabrielle echo these, with reports of heightened anxiety among North Island youth.

Amplifying Children's Voices: Research Methods Unveiled

Mutch's methodology emphasises ethical engagement in disaster zones, using multimodal data—verbal accounts, drawings, artefacts—to capture nuanced emotions. The book details study design, data gathering, and sense-making frameworks, making it a vital resource for postgraduate students and emerging scholars.

This participatory approach ensures children are co-researchers, not subjects, fostering trust in vulnerable contexts. For aspiring academics, such expertise aligns with roles in postdoc positions focused on educational psychology.

The Pivotal Role of Schools in Emotional Processing

New Zealand schools emerged as anchors post-Canterbury, providing psychosocial support, shelter, and emotional outlets. Mutch's earlier studies show teachers as "quiet heroes," facilitating arts-based interventions to process trauma.

Activities like storytelling and drawing helped children gain perspective. Amid Cyclone Gabrielle's floods, similar strategies mitigated distress. Educators trained in disaster response can explore lecturer jobs in education faculties to advance this work.

Statistics Highlighting Long-Term Impacts

Research post-Christchurch reveals stark figures: persistent anxiety disorder symptoms seven years later, elevated PTSD rates (10-50% in survivors), and increased psychiatric medication dispensing for youth. Kaikōura 2016 earthquake affected 5-10% long-term psychologically.

• Adolescents showed resilience but higher distress if lacking support.
• UNICEF notes NZ's declining child wellbeing amid climate disasters.
• 95% of recent displacements from floods/storms exacerbate mental health risks.

Mutch's book contextualises these, advocating proactive interventions.

Practical Advice for Adults: Listening and Validating

The book distils lessons into actionable steps:

• Listen actively without judgement.
• Validate all emotions, from fear to humour.
• Recognise strengths like peer support and creativity.
• Facilitate outlets: art, writing, volunteering.
• Build routines for stability.

These strategies empower families and schools, reducing long-term trauma.

Research Implications for Higher Education

As a methodological guide, River of Emotions equips University of Auckland researchers and peers for ethical studies. It bridges theory and practice, influencing curricula in disaster education. For professionals, career advice on academic CVs can aid entry into this niche.

Future Outlook: Strengthening Resilience in Aotearoa

With climate change intensifying disasters, Mutch's insights urge integrated education policies. Universities like Auckland lead via interdisciplinary research. Policymakers can leverage this for youth-centred recovery frameworks.

Photo by Duy Tran Dinh on Unsplash

Why This Matters for Educators and Researchers

In New Zealand's higher education landscape, publications like this elevate disaster education. Explore faculty openings at NZ universities or professor jobs to contribute. Mutch's legacy inspires a generation equipped to support children coping with disasters.

Discover professor insights at Rate My Professor, browse higher ed jobs, or seek career advice. For openings, visit university jobs and post a job.