Completed PhD's

Senior researchers at M.E are deeply involved in the New Zealand academic environment, including PhD supervision. Below you can find profiles for past PhD students and successful graduates.

  • Completed: 2025

    Institution: Joint Centre for Disaster Reduction, Massey University

    Supervisors: Dr. Emma Hudson-Doyle (JCDR, Massey University), Dr. Raj Prasanna (JCDR, Massey University), Dr. Garry McDonald (M.E Research), Prof. Douglas Paton (Charles Darwin University, Australia)

    Abstract: Effective communication of model uncertainty.

    Different mathematical and computational models have been designed by scientist to support decision-making during emergency response and recovery. However, uncertainties arise throughout the modelling process, from the input data, during modelling itself, and in the outputs. Communication these model uncertainties is important during decision-making. However, we do not understand what information decision makers need regarding these uncertainties. Through this research, decision-makers need will be identified, while also interacting with scientist around current practice. Through gaining rich, insightful, and nuanced understandings of decision-making needs, and current uncertainty communication practice by the scientist, the study will help develop a guiding mechanism to communicate model uncertainty.

  • Completed: 2023

    Institution: University of Auckland, Faculty of Engineering

    Supervisors: Prof. Liam Wotherspoon (School of Engineering, University of Auckland), Dr. Garry McDonald (M.E Research)

    Abstract: The Application of Integrated Land Use and Economic Models to the Simulation of Natural Hazard Events.

    To date, most applications of economic and land use change models to assess natural hazards have focused on the dimensions of vulnerability, fatalities, capital, and short-run economic impacts. This research applies an integrated land use change and economic model to a hypothetical volcanic eruption to demonstrate the simulation of long term-long land use change, economic impacts, and recovery pathways after a natural hazard event has occurred. The research also develops a concept called Built Environment Services that introduces more holistic measures of well-being, and important characteristics of the built environment, into an integrated modelling environment.

  • Completed: 2022

    Institution: University of Auckland, School of Environment

    Supervisors: Prof. Paul Kench (School of Environment, University of Auckland), Assoc. Prof. Mark Dickson (School of Environment, University of Auckland), Dr. Garry McDonald (M.E Research)

    Abstract: Modelling the Economic Implications of Coastal Managed Retreat.

    My thesis presents a new method to support robust approaches to implementing coastal managed retreat for coastal communities exposed to climate change through rising sea levels and increasing storminess. It uses Evolutionary Economic analysis, System Dynamics, Scenario Planning and Robust Decision Making to identify Dynamic Adaptative Policy Pathways for implementation. The approach models scenarios of baseline climate risk, coastal mitigation and adaptation to assess the economic implications of a large-scale managed retreat for a study area in Hawke’s Bay, well known for exposure to a range of coastal hazards. It develops a new integrated assessment model called C-ADAPT to assess possible pathways for vulnerable communities to adapt to coastal hazards until 2050. The economic impact modelling utilises the quasi-computational general equilibrium model ‘MERIT’ developed by Market Economics and GNS.

  • Completed: 2016

    Institution: Massey University, Ecological Economics Research New Zealand

    Supervisors: Assoc. Prof. Marjan van den Belt (Ecological Economics Research New Zealand, Massey University), Dr. Garry McDonald (M.E Research)

    Abstract: Tackling Complexity using Interlinked Thinking: Well-being as a Case Study.

    The world today is made up of a series of highly interconnected complex systems characterised by uncertainty. Human minds struggle with complexity, and the tools available to help us are limited. This often leads to reductionism, focusing on the parts rather than the whole. Working with individual parts ignores the dynamics that result from interdependencies between components. It is these interactions that determine the behaviour we experience in real world situations. This PhD presents ‘interlinked thinking’ as a communication and analytical approach to help people work with, rather than ignore, complexity. It is a participatory process that allows people not familiar with systems thinking to have a structured dialogue on how components interrelate.