Dr. Sara Harrison

About
A recent area of interest that has emerged is the role of AI in the warning value chain. Machine learning algorithms and automation are already used at various points of the warning value chain, however with the emergence of generative AI, this technology may be increasingly used and relied upon for developing tailored warning messages. This raises important questions about people’s trust in AI and how their trust in warnings may change if the role of AI becomes more substantial in the development and issuance of warnings.
Sara Harrison is a Hazard and Risk Management Scientist whose particular research interests are in designing and implementing people-centred early warning systems; partnerships and collaboration for disaster risk reduction; and crowdsourcing and citizen science for disaster risk reduction. Sara's project at the Weizenbaum Institut will investigate people’s perceptions of Artificial Intelligence in the warning chain. The findings will highlight the challenges and ethical implications associated with replacing human involvement in the warning process and provide recommendations for ensuring the trust and transparency of AI-driven warning systems.
Sara completed her PhD at Massey University on the topic of "Exploring the Data Needs and Sources for Severe Weather Impact Forecasts and Warnings." A key recommendation from Sara's thesis is to strengthen interagency partnerships to facilitate the transfer of knowledge and access to critical data for building more meaningful and people-centred warnings. Sara is actively conducting research to improve tsunami, landslide, and weather warnings in New Zealand with the goal of empowering people to feel more prepared and empower to protect themselves.
Positions
Associate Researcher
Research Group: Digitalization and Networked Security
Former Research Fellow (19.08.2024 - 30.11.2024)
Contact
Fields of Research
Warnings, Crowdsourcing, Data, AI
More Projects
Sara is a contributing member of the World Meteorological Organization's World Weather Research Programme's High Impact Weather project (or HIWeather project).