Fleur Templeton Memorial Award 

In 2025, SCANZ partnered with the Natural Hazards Commission (NHC) Toka Tū Ake to create the Fleur Templeton Memorial Award. This award honours Fleur Templeton, a dear friend and respected member of NHC and SCANZ, who passed away in 2024. 

The award, funded by NHC and administered through SCANZ, celebrates excellence in science communication focussed on natural hazards risk reduction and resilience.

Fleur dedicated her career to sharing science with New Zealanders. Her work spanned decades - from helping establish the Volcanic Alert Level system after the 1995 Ruapehu eruption, to leading resilience-focused communication at NHC.

This award celebrates her legacy and supports the next generation of communicators working to make hazard science accessible and impactful. 


Fleur’s legacy 

Fleur Templeton was a pioneering science communicator whose career spanned more than three decades across government, research, media, and academia. She began her career at the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), working to connect scientists with industry and the public. At GNS Science, she played a key role in public communications during the 1995 Ruapehu eruption, helping establish the Volcanic Alert Level system still in use today.

Fleur went on to work as a press secretary, senior advisor, and knowledge exchange manager, contributing to initiatives including the Healthier Lives National Science Challenge and the University of Otago’s Wellington Medical School. As a freelance science writer and communications specialist for nearly two decades, she supported a wide range of government and private sector projects, always with a focus on making complex science accessible and meaningful.

In her final role as Senior Advisor Science Communications at NHC, Fleur helped bring NHC-funded science, modelling, and research to more New Zealanders - supporting people to understand their natural hazards and make better informed decisions on how to prepare. 

Fleur was known by her colleagues for her kindness, curiosity, generosity and a deep commitment to empowering communities through knowledge - values that this award seeks to honour.

Thanks to Fleur’s family for the photos.

Award details 

Funding: $10,000 to support professional development and participation in the SCANZ conference in Christchurch on 24-26 June 2026. The recipient will be invited to give a presentation about their work at the SCANZ conference. 

Eligibility: Open to science communicators at any level and across all sectors (media, education, iwi/Māori-led initiatives, academia, public sector, etc.).

Focus: Communication that promotes risk reduction, resilience, and public engagement with natural hazards.

How to apply

Applications are open until 31 January 2026.

Please fill in the form below. Email hello@scanz.co.nz with any questions.

Selection criteria  

The Fleur Templeton Memorial Award will recognise an individual who exemplifies excellence in science communication related to natural hazard risk reduction and resilience. The judging panel, made up of representatives from SCANZ, NHC and Fleur’s family, will be looking for nominees who demonstrate:

  • Impactful communication: Clear, engaging, and accessible communication that helps diverse audiences understand natural hazard risks and take informed action.

  • Resilience focus: A strong emphasis on risk reduction, preparedness, and resilience-building in their work - whether through public outreach, education, media, or stakeholder engagement.

  • Curiosity, compassion and commitment: Communication that reflects the values Fleur embodied - curiosity, compassion, and a genuine commitment to serving communities.

  • Evidence-informed practice: A demonstrated ability to translate scientific research into practical, actionable messages that support evidence-based decision-making.

  • Innovation and leadership: Creative approaches to science communication, and/or leadership in building capacity, mentoring others, or fostering collaboration across sectors.

  • Reach and relevance: Work that is relevant to Aotearoa New Zealand’s hazard landscape and reaches audiences who may be underserved or at greater risk.

Preference will be given to SCANZ members. Recipients are required to use a portion of the funding to support their attendance to the SCANZ 2026 conference on 24-26 June in Christchurch. 

Nominees may come from any sector - including media, education, iwi/Māori-led initiatives, academia, public service, or community organisations - and can be at any career stage.

Application Form