Elaine Llarena

I am a PhD candidate in Veterinary Studies conducting a multidisciplinary research on crisis and risk communication in response to zoonotic emerging infectious diseases (i.e. SARS and Avian Influenza) in Southeast Asia (SEA). It is the aim of my research project to develop a communication evaluation framework-tool in determining an area/country’s capacity to respond to disease emergencies and manage health biosecurity risks in a Southeast Asian context. I finished my Bachelor of Science in Development Communication at the University of the Philippines (UP) in Los Baños and later on completed my Masters degree, MA Communication (major in Communication Research) in UP Diliman.

Before I started my PhD, as a recipient of a partner scholarship between Murdoch University and Australian Biosecurity CRC for Emerging Infectious Diseases, I was involved in various animal health programs in the Philippines and other countries in SEA. I was part of the AusAID-FAO Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) Control and Eradication Projects in the Philippines as a national communication consultant for more than three years. My work experience expanded in other countries in the region, among my regional involvement includes: short-term rural communications consultant in the Lao PDR Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Program; researcher in the Communication Survey Research Project on FMD and other Transboundary diseases in the Lower Mekong region (Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam) funded by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization – Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (FAORAP); resource speaker in risk communication and public awareness workshops organized by the OIE (World Organisation for Animal Health) and SEAFMD (Southeast Asia Foot and Mouth Disease) Campaign.
As reflected in my work experience and research interests on communication for social change and development especially in Southeast Asia, I am very keen to integrate my background in Development Communication and Research with the Health Sciences.

Publications, conference papers presented and media contributions:

• Communicating Risk: A Study on the Knowledge on Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) Risks and Communication Management in the Maintenance of the FMD-Free Areas in Visayas and Mindanao’, paper presented at the 74th Annual Convention and Scientific Conference of the Philippine Veterinary Medical Association, Hotel Philippine Plaza Manila, Philippines, 21-23 February 2007.
• ‘Local Stakeholders as Partners in the Communication Management to Control and Eradicate Foot and Mouth Disease: The Philippine Experience’, paper presented at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) International Communications Cooperation Workshop, Cairns, Australia, 28-29 June 2007.
• ‘React or Relate? A participatory approach to crisis and risk communication in response to new and emerging diseases in Southeast Asia’, poster presentation at the Australian Biosecurity CRC for Emerging Infectious Diseases 2007 National Workshop, Novotel Hotel, St Kilda, Melbourne, 14 – 16 November 2007 (with Prof. John Edwards. Prof. Garry Rodan, Dr. Anne Surma, Ms. Kate Fitch & Dr. Carolyn Benigno).
• ‘Communicating FMD Risks’, presentation given at the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) Southeast Asia Foot and Mouth Disease Campaign Communications Workshop, Imperial Hotel, Quezon City Philippines, 26-27 February 2008.
• ‘Rapid assessment on the crisis and risk communication management in response to zoonotic emerging infectious diseases in Southeast Asia’, presentation given at the Australian Biosecurity CRC for Emerging Infectious Diseases 2008 National Workshop, Siam City Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand, 24 – 26 June 2008 (with Prof. John Edwards. Prof. Garry Rodan, Dr. Anne Surma, Ms. Kate Fitch & Dr. Carolyn Benigno).

Postgraduate Researcher, Asia Research Centre, Murdoch University, South Street, Murdoch, WA 6150. Fax: 9360 6381, Email: e.llarena@murdoch.edu.au