Citation on the award of Fellow, April 2026
Professor Julia Becker has been conferred the Fellowship of the New Zealand Society for Earthquake Engineering for her outstanding contributions to the integration of social science and earthquake engineering in Aotearoa New Zealand. Julia is Acting Co-Director of the Joint Centre for Disaster Research at Massey University, an Associate Director of QuakeCoRE, where she leads research on cultural and social factors shaping resilience, and leads the “Living with Risk” theme within the Natural Hazards and Resilience Platform, a major MBIE-funded programme. Her research spans earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic hazards, with a focus on risk communication, warning systems, and community resilience. She has made significant contributions across all phases of emergency management, including risk reduction, readiness, response, and recovery. Her work following the Canterbury and Kaikōura earthquakes has informed national approaches to communication, earthquake early warning, evacuation messaging, and public education initiatives such as ShakeOut.
A defining feature of Julia’s career is her interdisciplinary leadership. She has worked closely with engineers, earth scientists, emergency managers, and policymakers, ensuring that social science insights are embedded in earthquake engineering practice. Her research has informed guidance and practice for organisations including NEMA, NHC Toka Tū Ake, GeoNet, and international partners such as the United States Geological Survey. Julia has also made a strong contribution to NZSEE. She has served on the Management Committee and is co-convenor of the 2026 NZSEE Conference, contributing to the Society’s strategic direction and technical activities. Through her research, leadership, and service, Professor Becker has significantly advanced the role of human behaviour, communication, and community resilience in earthquake engineering, and is a highly deserving recipient of Fellowship of the New Zealand Society for Earthquake Engineering.
