Smart Pod: Moving Beyond the Flags

2. Research

In our initial consultation with Surf Life Saving Australia, we recognised the need to ensure that everyone should find a safe place to enjoy themselves on the beach. During our analysis, we delved into aspects like beach education and the effectiveness of safety awareness, as well as the public's general behaviour towards beach safety. We discovered that diverse backgrounds, including geographical, cultural, and societal differences, significantly influence individuals' confirmation biases, attitudes, and awareness regarding beach safety in Australia. With a special focus on new migrants, who may lack local knowledge about beach safety cues and risks. Our research revealed that new migrants often come from diverse backgrounds, bringing varying degrees of familiarity with ocean environments, which significantly influences their perception of beach safety.

2.1 Field Research

In response to Surf Life Saving Australia's directive to bolster beach safety awareness, our team embarked on field research at both patrolled and unpatrolled beaches such as Gordons Bay, Clovelly Beach, and Coogee Beach. Our investigative efforts included interviews and surveys, specifically designed to understand the behaviours and preferences of our primary target groups: new migrants. Our findings illuminated a crucial gap in safety knowledge, particularly among these groups, who frequently underestimated the risks associated with beach environments. The data also highlighted a variety of human activities and specific beach features that could potentially enhance or compromise safety.

2.2.1 Original Approach

In our initial consultation with Surf Life Saving Australia, we recognised the need to ensure that everyone should find a safe place to enjoy themselves on the beach. During our analysis, we delved into aspects like beach education and the effectiveness of safety awareness, as well as the public's general behaviour towards beach safety. We discovered that diverse backgrounds, including geographical, cultural, and societal differences, significantly influence individuals' confirmation biases, attitudes, and awareness regarding beach safety in Australia. With a special focus on new migrants, who may lack local knowledge about beach safety cues and risks. Our research revealed that new migrants often come from diverse backgrounds, bringing varying degrees of familiarity with ocean environments, which significantly influences their perception of beach safety.

2.2.2 Our Approach

Driven by these insights, we have reframed our approach based on our How Might We questions from simply spreading safety awareness to embedding a culture of proactive safety within the beach experience. Our revised strategy encompasses:

• Developing targeted educational initiatives that address the specific needs and knowledge gaps of new migrants, ensuring that these key demographic groups are well-informed about the dynamics of beach safety.

• Encouraging active participation from local communities in safety education and promoting collaboration on areas that can enhance safety awareness of new migrant groups.

• Designing visual and intuitive signage that effectively communicates safety information, taking into account the diverse linguistic backgrounds and ways of knowledge comprehension in new migrants.

  
  

  

2.3 Design Principles

Inclusivity and Engagement: The design must be family-friendly and afford the accessibility for children, catering to all age groups. The design should be crafted that promotes vigorous user involvement and proliferates interactive opportunities.

Promote Safety Awareness: Priority should be given to ensure effective understanding of safety warning signage and safety education to enhance awareness and help the public establish a sense of safety at the beach.

Good Visibility and Accessibility: All elements within the design must be highly visible and complemented by convenient accessibility to accommodate a diverse group of people.

Prudent Budgeting: Efficiently steward financial resources to satisfy the project's essential needs without excess.

Maintain sustainability : Ensure our solution can further develop in the future and benefit both the environment and the community.

Fostering Government Partnerships: Sustain robust alliances with municipal and governmental entities, as well as support community groups which focus to aid new migrants settle in life in Australia such as Community Migrant Resource Centre, Settlement Council of Australia, and Australian Neighbourhood Houses and Centres Association (ANHCA). to bolster the project's progressive evolution (Commonwealth of Australia (Department of Social Services), 2017).