Advancing tsunami evacuation planning for coastal resilience in a changing climate

Originally from Iran, Dr Azin Fathianpour says she was inspired early on by her father, a university professor who completed his PhD while the family lived in Adelaide.

“Watching my father showed me the power of research and education. It made me want to do something meaningful, to make a real difference and help people. I knew I wanted to study somewhere I could do more than just research; I wanted to have an impact.”

After connecting with Professor Suzanne Wilkinson, who was transitioning to Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University, she made the decision to follow her and enrol at Massey.

“That decision changed everything. I believe this has been one of the wisest choices I’ve made!”

Dr Fathianpour’s interest in natural hazards and climate change began during her undergraduate studies and was shaped by her early experiences.

“Growing up in Isfahan, where the city’s river had dried up due to prolonged drought, I saw firsthand the impact of environmental challenges. Moving to Auckland opened my eyes to other pressing risks, such as earthquakes, tsunamis and landslides. I wanted to explore how I could contribute to building safer, more prepared communities.”

Dr Fathianpour’s PhD research focused on developing an innovative tsunami evacuation simulation tool for Napier, a coastal city exposed to tsunami risk. Her aim was to improve emergency response strategies by better understanding how people behave during evacuations.

“I used computer models to simulate different scenarios, from road network capacity and population distribution to the time people take to react to warnings. But I wanted to go beyond just modelling, I wanted the tool to actually help decision-makers on the ground.”

Her approach integrated real-world behavioural data, such as how people respond to alerts, choose evacuation routes and travel with others, making the model more reflective of real-life responses. The result was the Micro-Simulation Evacuation Model (MSEM), a tool that can be adapted to any urban area facing the threat of natural hazards requiring rapid evacuation.

A turning point in her research came after attending a United Nations conference, where a climate change representative highlighted that while many models exist, there were far fewer efforts focused on translating those models into actionable strategies and planning.

“That reshaped my whole perspective. I realised my goal wasn’t just to build a model, but to bridge the gap between data and decision-making. One of the key challenges was balancing model complexity with useability, as I wanted the tool to be both rigorous for academic use and practical for emergency planners.”

She says the most rewarding outcome of her PhD is knowing that the tool can support risk assessment, urban design, traffic planning and the identification of reliable evacuation centres, making it a valuable asset for city councils and emergency planners.

“This research has strengthened my belief that we can truly make a difference, because meaningful change often begins with research that connects to real-world needs. This journey has shown me that even the most technical studies can expand the boundaries of knowledge and help build more resilient, better-informed communities.”

Like many PhD journeys, Dr Fathianpour’s wasn’t without challenge. She began her research just before the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing her to rethink her methodology.

“I had originally planned to conduct surveys, but people were already struggling with the pandemic, it wasn’t the right time to think about tsunamis,” she says.

Then, in the midst of it all, she became a mother.

“Motherhood didn’t stop me from pursuing my PhD, it motivated me even more. I wanted to do something that mattered for my daughter’s future, to ensure that by the time she’s 30, the world is a safer, more resilient place than it is today.”

Now working as a Senior Sustainability and Resilience Advisor at Auckland Council, Dr Fathianpour is leading a range of projects focused on climate change adaptation.

“I’m committed to advancing my professional journey to contribute meaningfully toward building a more resilience city.”

She credits her success to the support of those around her.

“I would like to sincerely thank my supervisory team, Professor Suzanne Wilkinson, Associate Professor Mostafa Jelodar and Dr Barry Evans, for their invaluable support and guidance throughout this journey. Each of them contributed in unique and meaningful ways, and I am truly grateful to have worked with such an exceptional team. Also, my heartfelt thanks to my wonderful family: my husband, daughter, parents and in-laws, for their unwavering support, love, patience and encouragement.”

Reflecting on her PhD journey, Dr Fathianpour has simple but powerful advice for those starting their own research journey.

“Always have a mission. Knowing what you’re working towards keeps you motivated, helps you stay committed through the challenges and ultimately makes the journey more rewarding and fulfilling.”