Professor Melissa Nursey-Bray

My current projects include:

• ARC Future Fellowship: : Incorporating Indigenous knowledge into biodiversity and adaptation policy

The goal of this project is to discover Indigenous knowledge innovations at the science-policy interface that will create transformative benefits for biodiversity and climate change adaptation and socially just conservation outcomes for the people living within regions of outstanding cultural and ecological value such as the Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre Basin, Australia.

• Indigenous Climate Adaptation 

  This research program considers the barriers and opportunities facing Indigenous peoples in relation to climate change. It explores how climate change impacts on and the community driven responses to climate change across the world. In particular the program examines the role of traditional knowledge in informing Indigenous adaptation, and the ways in which Indigenous ways of doing can be incorporated within wider policy frameworks both on Indigenous country and in cities.

• Community engagement and environmental change 

  This is a research program that undertakes a range of projects that explore the ways in which communities engage with the issue of climate change and biodiversity, in order to strengthen policy and management. The project examines the role of conflict, social learning, knowledge, risk, values and perception in influencing community behaviour about and towards environmental issues. Examples of studies undertaken include a perception study about climate change for the rock lobster fishery, understanding how marine stakeholders feel about the relationship between sharks and aquaculture, and projects on community gardens and trees in cities.

• Adaptation, Community Environment (ACE) 

  I am the Director of a research group called Adaptation, Community Environment (ACE) that aims to undertake applied research and work with stakeholders and community groups on project they want undertaken on adaptation or environmental management. Examples include consultancy work (a recent one on the social impact of alcohol restrictions on the NT is an example), conduct of research training workshops for local community groups, implementation of citizen science projects (i.e. on marine pollution or climate change, see REDMAP), an annual adaptation seminar series that includes industry and community presentations and the establishment of an artist in residence program on art and public space.

  This project considers the ways in which different groups can work together for a common goal. It also aims to develop a strong partnership between academia and the community, so that project results can be useful to and used by communities to guide their own day to day business. The establishment of ACE creates opportunities for applied research that involves and has positive impacts on community. ACE aims to work with and for not on communities.