Dr Suzanne Phibbs is a Māori health sociologist and senior lecturer in public health in the School of Public Health at Massey University. Suzanne has published extensively in the field of disasters and is an expert on Sociological and Kaupapa Māori research methodologies, Māori community resilience, disaster risk reduction, response and recovery. As a highly experienced journal reviewer and editor, notably in her role as an editor for the Royal Society of of New Zealand, she is committed to ensuring attention is paid to Māori voices and aspirations. 

Suzanne is equally dedicated to developing the next generation of Māori leaders, academics and researchers. She has extensive experience as a Kaupapa Māori doctoral research advisor and mentor for Māori students and also serves on the board of the Ministry of Health funded Te Rau Puawai Māori programme, which supports Māori workforce development in the field of mental health. 

At that national level her research has contributed to policy foci on Māori and disability and she was a key contributor to 2019 Ministry of Civil Defence National Disaster Resilience Strategy.  Internationally she has recently completed work for the World Health Organisation and the United Nations through co-authored conference presentations, and providing case studies to inform evidence-based practice.

Suzanne is currently engaged in National Science Challenge research and her community-led project with Ngāti Parewahawaha and Ngāti Raukawa in the Rangitikei region, focuses on intergenerational engagement and hapū disaster resilience planning.