Kate Delmo

Dr. Kate Delmo is the Head of Discipline for Strategic Communication at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), leading the School of Communication within the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. She holds a Senior Lecturer academic rank and oversees interdisciplinary research in community risk reduction, disaster communication, and digital media influencers. Her work emphasizes UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Sustainable Communities (11), Climate Action (13), and Good Health and Wellbeing (3).

Education:

• PhD in Communication and Information Studies, University of South Australia (2013)
• MSc in Mass Communication, Nanyang Technological University (2003)
• Bachelor of Arts in Communication Research, University of the Philippines (1999)

Research Interests: Kate investigates community resilience in disasters, multicultural communication strategies, and the ethical implications of child influencers on social media. Her collaborative projects include a culturally competent communication framework with Fire and Rescue NSW and studies on children’s toy marketing via Instagram.

Awards:

• 2023 EMPA Research Excellence Award for community risk reduction work
• Multiple teaching awards, including UTS Learning and Teaching Awards (2015–2023)

Teaching & Leadership: Kate coordinates undergraduate programs and teaches courses on crisis communication, strategic design, and public relations. She advocates practice-oriented learning and has developed short courses like Managing Crisis Communication.

Service: Board Director of Emergency Media and Public Affairs (EMPA), and active member of professional networks like the International Communication Association.