Rachel Brummel

rachel brummel

Fulbright Postgraduate Scholar

Media Profile

"Bushfire in Australia burns through environmental and institutional boundaries. Effective bushfire planning thus requires the cooperation of all levels of government and landowners under the risk of fire."

Rachel Brummel is one of twelve Americans to be granted a Fulbright Postgraduate Scholarship to Australia in 2007. A current PhD student at the University of Minnesota (Twin Cities), Rachel will carry out her Fulbright research with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) in Canberra.

Rachel’s research, Burning through boundaries: science, social learning, and collaborative bushfire planning, will investigate how a diverse stakeholder groups navigate multiple and sometimes conflicting bushfire management objectives in the context of collaborative decision-making and planning.

“Collaborative planning encourages the integration of multiple interests and forms of knowledge in a singular plan. Australian lawmakers have embraced this model by mandating multi-stakeholder participation in bushfire planning,” explains Rachel. “Yet, it is often difficult for diverse groups to address all perspectives, meet multiple policy objectives, and incorporate science in decision making.”

Rachel plans to examine the role of science and dynamics of social learning in bushfire planning groups.

“Despite our increasing knowledge of ecological systems, collaborative groups often struggle to effectively integrate science in their natural resource decision-making. In many cases, science is disregarded, presented in an inaccessible way, or used as an implement of argument rather than an aid for collective deliberation.”

“Bushfire management in Australia is an issue of imminent importance, both socially and ecologically. My research aims to inform an ongoing international exchange about integrated and sustainable bushfire/wildfire planning processes.”

Rachel is a graduate of Grinnell College in Biology and Environmental Studies where she received a range of awards for her academic performance, including a Trustees Scholarship (1999-2003) and selection to Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society. At the University of Minnesota, she was awarded a Graduate School Fellowship (2005-2006) and the Mark and Judy Yudof Fellowship in Science Policy and Ethics (2007).

In the future Rachel plans to continue her study of social-environmental issues and be employed in a position that makes a positive impact on the ground.