Queensland University of Technology (QUT) has received a Federal Government grant of $188,000 to study the use of social media in times of crisis, ensuring the lessons learned in last summer’s natural disasters are put into action.

The state’s police used social media extensively during the Queensland floods, according to the department’s recent report into disaster management and social media.

QUT Associate Professor Axel Bruns has responsibility for the project, which has been funded through the Australian Research Council.

His team will analyse and evaluate how emergency authorities, media organisations and the public used social media during the disasters and develop a framework for public communication during emergencies.