Dr Marion Tan staff profile picture

Contact details +6449793406

Dr Marion Tan PhD

Senior Lecturer

Doctoral Supervisor
School of Psychology

 

Dr Marion Lara Tan is a senior lecturer at Massey University’s Joint Centre for Disaster Research. With a PhD in Emergency Management from Massey University (2020), she specialises in the intersection of human behaviour and technology in disaster contexts. Her research investigates participatory approaches and disruptive technologies in enhancing disaster resilience.

Marion is engaged in global collaborations. She led the Citizen Science arm of the WMO–WWRP HIWeather Project (2015–2024) and now serves on the Steering Group of the WMO–WWRP project Progressing EW4All Oriented to Partnerships and Local Engagement (PEOPLE, 2024–2028), which aims to advance inclusive and culturally-grounded early warning systems.

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Professional

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy - Massey University (2020)

Certifications and Registrations

  • Licence, Supervisor, Massey University

Research Expertise

Research Interests

Marion's research work looks into enhancing resilience through understanding the intersections between human behaviour, technology, and disaster management. 

Area of Expertise

Field of research codes
Communications Technologies (100500):
Computer-Human Interaction (080602): Information And Computing Sciences (080000): Information Systems (080600):
Studies In Human Society (160000):
Technology (100000)

Research Outputs

Journal

Chandrakumar, C., Tan, ML., Holden, C., Stephens, M., & Prasanna, R. (2025). Performance Evaluation of a Community-Engaged Low-Cost Earthquake Early Warning System for Aotearoa New Zealand. Seismological Research Letters. 94(5), 3076-3096
[Journal article]Authored by: Rahubadde Kankanamge, R., Tan, M.
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Chandrakumar, C., Tan, ML., Holden, C., Stephens, MT., & Prasanna, R. (2025). Evaluating P-Wave detection algorithms for earthquake early warning: insights from GeoNet data in Canterbury, Aotearoa New Zealand. Earth Science Informatics. 18(1)
[Journal article]Authored by: Rahubadde Kankanamge, R., Tan, M.
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Chandrakumar, C., Tan, ML., Holden, C., Stephens, M., Punchihewa, A., & Prasanna, R. (2024). Estimating S-wave amplitude for earthquake early warning in New Zealand: Leveraging the first 3 seconds of P-Wave. Earth Science Informatics. 17(5), 4527-4554
[Journal article]Authored by: Rahubadde Kankanamge, R., Tan, M.
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5
Chandrakumar, C., Tan, ML., Holden, C., Stephens, MT., & Prasanna, R. (2025). Performance analysis of P-wave detection algorithms for a community-engaged earthquake early warning system–a case study of the 2022 M5.8 Cook Strait earthquake. New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics. 68(1), 135-150
[Journal article]Authored by: Rahubadde Kankanamge, R., Tan, M.
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8
Tan, ML., Vinnell, LJ., Valentin, APM., Prasanna, R., & Becker, JS. (2023). The public's perception of an earthquake early warning system: A study on factors influencing continuance intention. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction. 97
[Journal article]Authored by: Becker, J., Rahubadde Kankanamge, R., Tan, M., Vinnell, L.
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Vinnell, LJ., Tan, ML., Prasanna, R., & Becker, JS. (2023). Knowledge, perceptions, and behavioral responses to earthquake early warning in Aotearoa New Zealand. Frontiers in Communication. 8
[Journal article]Authored by: Becker, J., Rahubadde Kankanamge, R., Tan, M., Vinnell, L.
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10
Göber, M., Christel, I., Hoffmann, D., Mooney, CJ., Rodriguez, L., Becker, N., . . . Williams, H. (2023). Enhancing the Value of Weather and Climate Services in Society: Identified Gaps and Needs as Outcomes of the First WMO WWRP/SERA Weather and Society Conference. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society. 104(3), E645-E651
[Journal article]Authored by: Tan, M.
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12
Huggins, TJ., Tan, ML., Kuo, YL., Prasanna, R., & Rea, DD. (2022). Online learning adoption by Chinese university students during the Covid-19 pandemic. Australasian Journal of Disaster and Trauma Studies. 26(Special Issue), 147-157
[Journal article]Authored by: Rahubadde Kankanamge, R., Tan, M.
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Chandrakumar, C., Prasanna, R., Stephens, M., & Tan, ML. (2022). Earthquake early warning systems based on low-cost ground motion sensors: A systematic literature review. Frontiers in Sensors. 3
[Journal article]Authored by: Rahubadde Kankanamge, R., Tan, M.
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19
Tan, ML., Hoffmann, D., Ebert, E., Cui, A., & Johnston, D. (2022). Exploring the potential role of citizen science in the warning value chain for high impact weather. Frontiers in Communication. 7
[Journal article]Authored by: Tan, M.
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12
Tan, ML., Becker, JS., Stock, K., Prasanna, R., Brown, A., Kenney, C., . . . Lambie, E. (2022). Understanding the social aspects of earthquake early warning: A literature review. Frontiers in Communication. 7
[Journal article]Authored by: Becker, J., Brown, A., Kenney, C., Rahubadde Kankanamge, R., Stock, K., Tan, M.Contributed to by: Brown, A.
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20
Prasanna, R., Chandrakumar, C., Nandana, R., Holden, C., Punchihewa, A., Becker, JS., . . . Tan, ML. (2022). “Saving Precious Seconds”—A Novel Approach to Implementing a Low-Cost Earthquake Early Warning System with Node-Level Detection and Alert Generation. Informatics. 9(1)
[Journal article]Authored by: Becker, J., Rahubadde Kankanamge, R., Tan, M.
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40
Vinnell, LJ., Hudson-Doyle, EE., Inch, P., Tan, ML., Becker, JS., & Johnston, DM. (2022). Evacuation Behavior and Information Needs of Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand Residents Following the 5 March 2021 Mw 7.3 East Cape Earthquake. Seismological Research Letters. 93(3), 1452-1463
[Journal article]Authored by: Becker, J., Hudson-Doyle, E., Tan, M., Vinnell, L.
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Vinnell, LJ., Becker, JS., Scolobig, A., Johnston, DM., Tan, ML., & McLaren, L. (2021). Citizen science initiatives in high-impact weather and disaster risk reduction. Australasian Journal of Disaster and Trauma Studies. 25(3), 55-60
[Journal article]Authored by: Becker, J., Tan, M., Vinnell, L.
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5
Goded, T., Tan, ML., Becker, JS., Horspool, N., Canessa, S., Huso, R., . . . Johnston, DM. (2021). Using citizen data to understand earthquake impacts: Aotearoa New Zealand’s earthquake Felt Reports. Australasian Journal of Disaster and Trauma Studies. 25(3), 61-78
[Journal article]Authored by: Becker, J., Tan, M.Contributed to by: Tan, M.
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7
Huggins, TJ., Yang, L., Zhang, J., Tan, ML., & Prasanna, R. (2021). Psychological effects of dominant responses to early warning alerts. International Journal of Ambient Computing and Intelligence. 12(3), 1-15
[Journal article]Authored by: Rahubadde Kankanamge, R., Tan, M.
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9
Tan, ML., Prasanna, R., Stock, K., Doyle, EEH., Leonard, G., & Johnston, D. (2020). Usability factors influencing the continuance intention of disaster apps: A mixed-methods study. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction. 50
[Journal article]Authored by: Hudson-Doyle, E., Rahubadde Kankanamge, R., Stock, K., Tan, M.
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Tan, ML., Prasanna, R., Stock, K., Doyle, EEH., Leonard, G., & Johnston, D. (2020). Understanding end-users’ perspectives: Towards developing usability guidelines for disaster apps. Progress in Disaster Science. 7, Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590061720300557/
[Journal article]Authored by: Stock, K., Tan, M.
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Becker, JS., Potter, SH., Prasanna, R., Tan, ML., Payne, BA., Holden, C., . . . Johnston, DM. (2020). Scoping the potential for earthquake early warning in Aotearoa New Zealand: A sectoral analysis of perceived benefits and challenges. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction. 51
[Journal article]Authored by: Becker, J., Rahubadde Kankanamge, R., Tan, M.
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Tan, ML., Prasanna, R., Stock, K., Doyle, EEH., Leonard, G., & Johnston, D. (2020). Understanding end-users' perspectives: Towards developing usability guidelines for disaster apps. Progress in Disaster Science. 7
[Journal article]Authored by: Hudson-Doyle, E., Rahubadde Kankanamge, R., Stock, K., Tan, M.
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44
Tan, ML., Prasanna, R., Stock, K., Doyle, EEH., Leonard, G., & Johnston, D. (2020). Modified Usability Framework for Disaster Apps: A Qualitative Thematic Analysis of User Reviews. International Journal of Disaster Risk Science. 11(5), 615-629
[Journal article]Authored by: Hudson-Doyle, E., Rahubadde Kankanamge, R., Stock, K., Tan, M.
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Santiago, JSS., Manuela, WS., Tan, MLL., Saňez, SKB., & Tong, AZU. (2018). Agency-driven post-disaster recovery: A comparative study of three Typhoon Washi resettlement communities in the Philippines. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction. 27, 480-489
[Journal article]Authored by: Tan, M.
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Gotangco, CK., Favis, AM., Guzman, MAL., Tan, ML., Quintana, C., & Josol, JC. (2017). A supply chain framework for characterizing indirect vulnerability. International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management. 9(2), 184-206
[Journal article]Authored by: Tan, M.
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Tan, ML., Prasanna, R., Stock, K., Hudson-Doyle, E., Leonard, G., & Johnston, D. (2017). Mobile applications in crisis informatics literature: A systematic review. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction. 24, 297-311
[Journal article]Authored by: Hudson-Doyle, E., Rahubadde Kankanamge, R., Stock, K., Tan, M.
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Santiago, JSS., Manuela, WS., Tan, MLL., Sañez, SK., & Tong, AZU. (2016). Of timelines and timeliness: lessons from Typhoon Haiyan in early disaster response. Disasters. 40(4), 644-667
[Journal article]Authored by: Tan, M.
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Book

Harrison, SE., Tan, ML., Prasanna, R., & Doyle, EEH. (2024). Social media use by multiple stakeholders and rightsholders during the Fort McMurray wildfires. In Case Studies in Disaster Response Disaster and Emergency Management Case Studies in Adaptation and Innovation Series. (pp. 213 - 236).
[Chapter]Authored by: Hudson-Doyle, E., Rahubadde Kankanamge, R., Tan, M.
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1
Tan, ML., Brown, A., Stock, K., Becker, JS., Kenney, C., Lambie, E., . . . Prasanna, R. (2023). ‘Balancing human needs with technology’1—a design-led approach for exploring an earthquake early warning system in Aotearoa New Zealand. In Design for Emergency Management. (pp. 124 - 140).
[Chapter]Authored by: Becker, J., Brown, A., Kenney, C., Rahubadde Kankanamge, R., Stock, K., Tan, M.
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Report

Power, WL., Flores Henriquez, C., Lukovic, B., Nilsson, D., Tan, M., Hudson-Doyle, EE., . . . Khan, H.(2025). Tsunami Evacuation Modelling for Napier, Gisborne, and South New Brighton and Southshore. (Report No. GNS Science Report 2025/20). Lower Hutt, New Zealand: GNS Science
[Technical Report]Authored by: Hudson-Doyle, E., Tan, M.
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Stoetzer, O., Tan, ML., Power, WL., Hudson-Doyle, EE., McCombe, G., & Johnston, DM.(2024). Tsunami Evacuation Modelling: Expert Elicitation Workshops Report. (Report No. GNS Science Report 2024/33). Lower Hutt, New Zealand: GNS Science
[Technical Report]Authored by: Hudson-Doyle, E., Tan, M.
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Tan, ML., Leonard, GS., & Johnston, DM. (2021). Hawke's Bay Regional Alerting Systems Review. ( Report No. Disaster Research Science Report 2021:4). Joint Centre for Disaster Research, Massey University.
[Commissioned Report]Authored by: Tan, M.
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Brown, A., Parkin, T., Tan, ML., Prasanna, R., Becker, J., Stock, K., . . . Lambie, E. (2021). An Earthquake Early Warning system for Aotearoa New Zealand?. CRISiSLab, Joint Centre for Disaster Research (JCDR), Massey University, Wellington.
[Commissioned Report]Authored by: Becker, J., Brown, A., Kenney, C., Parkin, T., Rahubadde Kankanamge, R., Stock, K., Tan, M.
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Conference

Johnston, D., Tan, M., Tapuke, K., Toma, C., Stephens, M., Wotherspoon, L., . . . Adikari, K. (2024). Tsunami resilience: Aotearoa New Zealand's path to integrated risk management and engineering design. Proceedings of the New Zealand Society for Earthquake Engineering Annual Technical Conference 2024. Christchurch, New Zealand: 2024 New Zealand Society for Earthquake Engineering Annual Technical Conference
[Conference Paper in Published Proceedings]Authored by: Tan, M., Tapuke, K.
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Kroher, L., Tan, ML., & Prasanna, R. (2024). Exploring the roles and challenges of disruptive technologies for emergency management in Aotearoa New Zealand. Proceedings of the International Iscram Conference.
[Conference Paper in Published Proceedings]Authored by: Rahubadde Kankanamge, R., Tan, M.
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1
Chandrakumar, C., Tan, ML., Holden, C., Stephens, MT., & Prasanna, R. (2024). Adapting PLUM: Earthquake Early Warning with Node-Level Processing in New Zealand. Proceedings of the International Iscram Conference.
[Conference Paper in Published Proceedings]Authored by: Rahubadde Kankanamge, R., Tan, M.
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1
Chandrakumar, C., Prasanna, R., Stephens, M., Tan, ML., Holden, C., Punchihewa, A., . . . Ravishan, D. (2022). Algorithms for Detecting P-Waves and Earthquake Magnitude Estimation: Initial Literature Review Findings. Proceedings of the International Iscram Conference. Vol. 2022-November (pp. 138 - 155).
[Conference Paper in Published Proceedings]Authored by: Becker, J., Rahubadde Kankanamge, R., Tan, M.
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Tan, ML., Senaweera, O., Gunawardana, A., Rasith, M., Suaib, M., Shanthakumar, T., . . . Hisham, M. (2022). New Zealand COVID Tracer App: understanding usage and user sentiments. Proceedings of the International Iscram Conference. Vol. 2022-November (pp. 89 - 102).
[Conference Paper in Published Proceedings]Authored by: Tan, M.
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Tan, ML., Prasanna, R., Becker, JS., Brown, A., Kenney, C., Lambie, E., . . . De Alwis, D. (2021). Outlook for earthquake early warning for Aotearoa New Zealand: Insights from initiating a community-of-practice. Proceedings of the 2021 New Zealand Society for Earthquake Engineering Annual Technical Conference. : New Zealand Soceity for Earthquake Enginnering
[Conference Paper in Published Proceedings]Authored by: Becker, J., Brown, A., Kenney, C., Rahubadde Kankanamge, R., Stock, K., Tan, M.
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Tan, ML., Harrison, S., Becker, JS., Doyle, EEH., & Prasanna, R. (2020). Research themes on warnings in information systems crisis management literature. Proceedings of the International Iscram Conference. Vol. 2020-May (pp. 1085 - 1099).
[Conference Paper in Published Proceedings]Authored by: Becker, J., Hudson-Doyle, E., Rahubadde Kankanamge, R., Tan, M.
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Tan, ML., Prasanna, R., Stock, K., Hudson-Doyle, E., Leonard, G., & Johnston, D. (2019). Enhancing the usability of a disaster app: Exploring the perspectives of the public as users. Proceedings of the International Iscram Conference. Vol. 2019-May (pp. 876 - 886).
[Conference Paper in Published Proceedings]Authored by: Hudson-Doyle, E., Rahubadde Kankanamge, R., Stock, K., Tan, M.
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Tan, M., Prasanna, R., Stock, K., Hudson-Doyle, E., Leonard, G., & Johnston, D. (2018). Usability Factors Affecting the Continuance Intention of Disaster Apps. ISCRAM Asia Pacific 2018: Innovating for Resilience. : ISCRAM Asia Pacific 2018: Innovating for Resilience
[Conference Paper in Published Proceedings]Authored by: Hudson-Doyle, E., Stock, K., Tan, M.
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Teaching and Supervision

Contact Supervisor

Summary of Doctoral Supervision

Position Current Completed
Main Supervisor 1 0
Co-supervisor 5 1

Current Doctoral Supervision

Main Supervisor of:

  • Kasuni Adikari Appuhamilage - Doctor of Philosophy
    Advancing Earthquake Resilience - A Multi-Modal Approach to Analysing Human Behaviour

Co-supervisor of:

  • Saichon Kloyiam - Doctor of Philosophy
    A discrete choice experiment to identify the factors promoting the uptake of online platforms among informal workers in Thailand.
  • Sadjad Mirzaei - Doctor of Philosophy
    A Scalable Decentralised Architecture for Low-Cost Earthquake Early Warning: Design, Simulation, and Real-World Validation
  • Simone Phillips - Doctor of Philosophy
    Community voices in flood warning systems: Learning from local initiatives in Aotearoa New Zealand
  • Malintha Mahinda Kumarage - Doctor of Philosophy
    Leveraging Machine Learning for Micro-scale Flood Impact Forecasting
  • Alfredo Jaramillo Velez - Doctor of Philosophy
    An evaluation of Citizen Science approaches to monitor landslides and reduce the associated community risk in coastal cliff environments

Completed Doctoral Supervision

Co-supervisor of:

  • 2025 - Chanthujan Chandrakumar - Doctor of Philosophy
    Development of a Community-Engaged, Low-Cost Earthquake Early Warning System Using MEMS-Based Sensors: Enhancing and Adapting the PLUM Algorithm with