Professor Melissa Nursey-Bray
Professor, Deputy Director ISER
School of Society and Culture
College of Education, Behavioural and Social Sciences
Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.
Current roles- Professor and ARC Future Fellow, Human Geography- Deputy Director, Environment Institute, Lead: Nature People Climate Initiative- Professorial Research Fellow, Wirltu Yarlu
- Director, ACE (Adaptation, Community, Environment) Research GroupResearch OverviewMy research investigates the connection between people and the environment. I focus on how to engage communities to be part of environmental decision making, particularly in the context of climate change and biodiversity protection. I have worked with Indigenous, ports, local government and fishing communities on a range of projects. These projects have examined how conflict, social and cultural values, knowledge, social learning and perceptions affect how people become involved in or help drive environmental sustainability. My most recent work explore how different communities can adapt to climate change. This has included developing adaptation strategies for Indigenous peoples, looking at how urban areas can be ‘greened’ and the ways in which fisheries can be made more resilient and responsive to climate threats. I am currently working on an ARC Future Fellowship that investigates how different knowledges can work together to address biodiversity and climate change impacts.I welcome inquiries from Masters and PhD candidates interested in: urban ecology, Indigenous resource management, climate change adaptation, co-management, and fisheries/marine management.
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.
| Date | Position | Institution name |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 - ongoing | Professor | The University of Adelaide |
| 2021 - ongoing | Professor | University of Adelaide |
| 2019 - 2021 | Interim Head of School | University of Adelaide |
| 2015 - ongoing | Associate Professor | University of Adelaide |
| 2010 - 2014 | Senior Lecturer | University of Adelaide |
| 2005 - 2009 | Lecturer and Senior Lecturer | Australian Maritime College, UTAS |
| 2004 - 2005 | Senior Research Officer | CSIRO, Centre for Sustainable Ecosystems |
| Date | Type | Title | Institution Name | Country | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Research Award | Future Fellowship Australian Research Council | University of Adelaide | Australia | $1,038,892 |
| 2020 | Teaching Award | Elder Cole Award for Excellence in HDR Supervision | University of Adelaide | Australia | $8,000 |
| 2017 | Award | Beacon Commendation for Excellence in HDR Supervision | University of Adelaide | Australia | $2000 |
| 2017 | Recognition | Australian Ambassador for Regional Studies Association | Regional Studies Association | United Kingdom | - |
| 2017 | Achievement | Handling Editor, Australian Journal of Environmental Management | University of Queensland | Australia | - |
| 2017 | Award | Co-winner best paper award | World Symposium on Climate Change Communication | Australia | - |
| 2016 | Recognition | Chief Editor, Journal of the Royal Geographical Society, South Australia | Royal Geographical Society, South Australia | Australia | - |
| 2016 | Award | Co-winner of Pete Hay Environmental Award for best paper | Australian Political Studies association | Australia | - |
| 2012 | Award | White Paper Award | Faculty of Arts, University of Adelaide | Australia | - |
| 2011 | Research Award | ECR Award for Research Excellence | Faculty of Arts, University of Adelaide | Australia | - |
| 2009 | Award | Office of Learning and Teaching Citation | Universiyt of Tasmania | Australia | - |
| 2009 | Fellowship | Honorary Tyndall Fellow | Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research | United Kingdom | - |
| 2008 | Award | Vice Chancellors Award for Outstanding Contribution to Teaching and Learning | University of Tasmania | Australia | - |
| 2001 | Fellowship | Winston Churchill Fellowship | James Cook University | Australia | $30,000 |
| Date | Institution name | Country | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | University of Tasmania | Australia | Graduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning |
| 2006 | James Cook University | Australia | PhD |
| 1992 | University of Adelaide | Australia | Masters Degree in Environmental Studies |
| 1989 | University of Adelaide | Australia | Bachelor of Arts (Hons) |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Nursey-Bray, M., Palmer, R., Chischilly, A. M., Rist, P., & Yin, L. (2022). Old ways for New Days: Indigenous Survival and Agency in Climate Changed Times (1 ed.). Online: Springer. DOI |
| 2008 | Nursey-Bray, M., & Palmer, R. (2008). Walk the talk : strengthening indigenous participation in the management of Australia’s oceans. Germany: Verlag Dr. Muller. |
| 2008 | Nursey-Bray, M. (2008). Socially just conservation : towards collaborative hunting management of green turtles and dugongs in the Great Barrier Reef world heritage area, Australia. Germany: Verlag Dr. Muller. |
| 2007 | Nursey-Bray, M., Attwater, C., Witte, E., & Stute, E. (2007). Climate change and coastal management: a literature review. Tasmania, Australia. |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Nursey-Bray, M., Yoneyama, S., Szorenyi, A., Grage, A., Hill, C., Gienger, A., & Storp, V. (2025). Situated ecologies of attention as a pathway for socially just climate policy. In H. Mahmoudi, & K. Seaman (Eds.), Global Climate Crisis (pp. 91-117). Edward Elgar. DOI |
| 2025 | Nursey-Bray, M., Yoneyama, S., Szorenyi, A., Grage, A., Hill, C., Gienger, A., & Storp, V. (2025). Situated ecologies of attention as a pathway for socially just climate policy. In H. Mahmoudi, & K. Seaman (Eds.), Global Climate Crisis: Seeking Environmental Justice and Climate Equality (pp. 91-117). Edward Elgar Publishing. DOI |
| 2024 | Parsons, M., & Nursey-Bray, M. (2024). Rethinking environmental governance. In K. Dombrovskis, M. Goodwin, J. Qian, A. Williams, & P. Clarke (Eds.), Introducing Human Geographies (Fourth ed., pp. 1-13). Routledge. DOI |
| 2024 | Cattonar, L., Suh, J., & Nursey-Bray, M. (2024). Exploring Coal Dust Pollution and Social Acceptance in Singleton, New South Wales: Implications for the Social License to Operate through Risk Society Theory. In G. Wood, J. Górski, & G. Mete (Eds.), The Palgrave Handbook of Social License to Operate and Energy Transitions (Vol. 1, 1 ed., pp. 1-20). Palgrave. DOI |
| 2024 | Nursey-Bray, M. (2024). Fay Gale. In W. Prest, K. Round, & C. Fort (Eds.), The Wakefield Companion to South Australian History - ebook: pdf (2 ed.). Adelaide: Wakefield Press. |
| 2024 | Nursey-Bray, M., & Smith, T. (2024). Reframing Integrated Coastal Zone Management: Towards Conflict Informed Approaches in a Time of Change and Turbulence. In B. Glavovic (Ed.), Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences (Treatise on Estuarine and Coastal Systems ed., pp. 295-306). Elsevier. DOI |
| 2023 | Nursey-Bray, M., Korerura, S., Fui, M., Lui, S., Masale, P., Mariner, A., . . . Ronneberg, E. (2023). Adapting to Change? Traditional Knowledge and Water. In A. Dansie, H. Alleway, & B. Boer (Eds.), The Water, Energy, and Food Security Nexus in Asia and the Pacific (pp. 229-247). Springer. DOI |
| 2023 | Marsh, J., Daniel-Mayes, S., Sehlin MacNeil, K., & Nursey-Bray, M. (2023). Learning Through an Undisciplined Lens: The Centring of Indigenous Knowledges and Philosophies in Higher Education in Australia and Sweden. In S. Weuffen, J. Burke, A. Goriss-Hunter, & S. Emmett (Eds.), Inclusion, Equity, Diversity, and Social Justice in Education A Critical Exploration of the Sustainable Development Goals. Singapore: 981-19-5008-7 Publisher Springer Singapore. DOI |
| 2023 | Marsh, J. K., Daniels-Mayes, S., MacNeil, K. S., & Nursey-Bray, M. (2023). Learning Through an Undisciplined Lens: The Centring of Indigenous Knowledges and Philosophies in Higher Education in Australia and Sweden. In Z. Romano, & R. Ballard (Eds.), Sustainable Development Goals Series (Vol. Part F2750, pp. 57-75). Springer Nature Singapore. DOI Scopus2 |
| 2023 | Nursey-Bray, M. (2023). Building Collaborative Models for Change: Engaging Indigenous People and Country into in Socially just Conservation. In C. Baldwin, & S. van Bommel (Eds.), Rural Development for Sustainable Social-ecological Systems Putting Communities First (Vol. 1, 1 ed., pp. 209-227). Cham, Switzerland: Palgrave MacMillan. DOI |
| 2021 | Nursey-Bray, M., & Marsh, J. (2021). Co-management and Conservation Below Water in Australia. In W. F. Fihlo, A. M. Azul, L. Brandli, A. L. Salvia, & T. Wall (Eds.), Life Below Water (1 ed., pp. 1-11). Geneva: Springer Nature. DOI |
| 2021 | Atampugre, G., Nursey-Bray, M., & Rudd, D. (2021). Micro-level Dynamics of Climate Risks Adaptation in a Semi-arid Agroecology. In Handbook of Climate Change Management Research Leadership Transformation (Vol. 2, pp. 997-1024). Springer International Publishing. DOI Scopus1 |
| 2021 | Atampugre, G., Nursey-Bray, M., Kamal, M., & Nyarko, B. (2021). Assessing farm-households' vulnerability to climate change risks in semi arid Ghana. In M. G. Alam, O. Erdiaw-Kwasie, G. Nagy, & W. Leal Fihlo (Eds.), Climate Vulnerability and Resilience in the Global South: Human Adaptations for Sustainable Futures. (pp. 527-553). https://link.springer.com/: Springer Link. DOI Scopus8 |
| 2021 | Kidane, R., Wanner, T., & Nursey-Bray, M. (2021). Understanding the Climatic and Non-climatic Drivers of Livelihood Vulnerability in the Tigray Region of Ethiopia. In M. Alam, M. Erdiaw-Kwasie, G. Nagy, & W. Leal Fihlo (Eds.), Climate Vulnerability and Resilience in the Global South (pp. 279-296). Switzerland: Springer Nature. DOI Scopus3 |
| 2021 | Nursey-Bray, M., & Parsons, M. (2021). Indigenous Peoples and Climate Change: Australia and New Zealand. In W. L. Fihlo, A. M. Azul, L. Brandii, P. G. Özuyar, & T. Wall (Eds.), Climate Action. Encyclopedia of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. (pp. 1-12). Online: Springer Nature. DOI |
| 2021 | Atampugre, G., Nursey-Bray, M., & Rudd, D. (2021). Micro-level dynamics of climate risks adaptation in a semi-arid agroecology. In W. Leal Fihlo (Ed.), Handbook of Climate Change Management (pp. 1-28). Cham, Switzerland: Springer. DOI |
| 2021 | Nursey-Bray, M., & Muecke, S. (2021). Paying attention to the spaces in between: the social production of space and Indigenous presence in cities. In R. Bartel, & J. Carter (Eds.), Handbook on Space, Place and Law (1 ed., pp. 196-207). Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar. Scopus1 |
| 2020 | Nursey-Bray, M. J. (2020). Community Engagement: What Is It?. In D. Hes, & C. Hernandez-Smith (Eds.), Placemaking Fundamentals for the Built Environment (pp. 83-105). Singapore: Palgrave McMillan. DOI Scopus6 |
| 2020 | Feng, H., & Nursey-Bray, M. (2020). Adaptation by herders on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau in response to climate change and policy refroms: the implications for carbon sequestration and livelihoods. In Z. Shang, A. Degen, M. Rafiq, & V. Squires (Eds.), Carbon Management for Promoting Local Livelihood in the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) Region (pp. 281-297). Cham, Switzerland: Springer. DOI |
| 2020 | Nursey-Bray, M. J. (2020). The ART of engagement placemaking for nature and people in cities. In D. Hes, & C. Hernandez-Santin (Eds.), Placemaking Fundamentals for the Built Environment (pp. 305-326). Singapore: Palgrave McMillan. DOI Scopus4 |
| 2019 | Nursey-Bray, M. (2019). Moving with Mobiles – Using IT in the Classroom as Against Online: Comparative Reflection from South Australia. In A. Zhang (Ed.), Handbook of Mobile Teaching and Learning (pp. 741-751). Springer-Verlang. |
| 2019 | Nursey-Bray, M. J., & Palmer, R. (2019). Adapting to Change: A reflective history of an online graduate certificate and its implications for teaching geography. In A. Zhang (Ed.), Handbook of Mobile Teaching and Learning (pp. 15 pages). Online: Springer-Verlag. DOI |
| 2019 | Nursey-Bray, M. (2019). Mobiles, Online Learning, and the Small Group Discovery Classroom: Reflections from South Australia. In Y. A. Zhang, & D. Cristol (Eds.), Handbook of Mobile Teaching and Learning (pp. 977-990). Singapore: Springer Nature. DOI |
| 2018 | Nursey-Bray, M., & Beer, A. (2018). Urban Planning and Indigenous Peoples. In N. Snipe, & K. Vella (Eds.), The Routledge Handbook of Urban and Regional Planning (1st ed., pp. 16 pages). Online: Routledge. DOI Scopus1 |
| 2017 | Nursey-Bray, M., Nicholls, R., Vince, J., Harvey, N., & Day, S. (2017). Public participation, coastal management and climate change adaptation. In D. Green, & J. Payne (Eds.), Marine and Coastal Resource Management: Principles and Practice (pp. 223-239). Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge. DOI Scopus7 |
| 2015 | Nursey-Bray, M. (2015). Moving with mobiles: using IT in the classroom as against online: a comparative reflection from South Australia. In A. Zhang (Ed.), Handbook of Mobile Teaching and Learning (1 ed., pp. 741-751). Berlin: Springer. DOI |
| 2015 | Nursey-Bray, M., Fergie, D., Arbon, V., Rigney, L., Palmer, R., Tibby, J., . . . Stuart, A. (2015). Indigenous adaptation to climate change: the Arabana. In J. Palutikof, S. Boulter, J. Barnett, & D. Rissik (Eds.), Applied studies in climate adaptation (Vol. 9781118845011, 1 ed., pp. 316-325). West Sussex: John Wiley & Sons. DOI Scopus2 |
| 2015 | Nicholls, R., Dawson, R., Day, S., Walker, D., Mimura, N., Nursey-Bray, M., . . . Zanuttigh, B. (2015). International opportunities for broad scale coastal simulation. In R. Nicholls, R. Dawson, & S. Day (Eds.), Broad Scale Coastal Simulation: New Techniques to Understand and Manage Shorelines in the Third Millennium (Vol. 49, 1 ed., pp. 325-347). Dordrecht: Springer. DOI Scopus1 |
| 2015 | Nursey-Bray, M. (2015). Gender, governance, and climate change adaptation. In Handbook of Climate Change Adaptation (pp. 1077-1090). Springer Berlin Heidelberg. DOI Scopus3 |
| 2015 | Nursey-Bray, M. (2015). Moving with Mobiles: Using IT in the Classroom as Against Online: A Comparative Reflection from South Australia. In Handbook of Mobile Teaching and Learning (pp. 1-9). Springer Berlin Heidelberg. DOI |
| 2014 | Nursey-Bray, M. (2014). Gender, governance and climate change adaptation. In W. Leal Filho (Ed.), Handbook of climate change adaptation (Online ed., pp. 1-13). Germany: Springer. DOI |
| 2013 | Nursey-Bray, M., & Harvey, N. (2013). Bridging the science-policy divide in the coastal zone: is there a role for learning processes?. In E. Moksness, E. Dahl, & J. Stottrup (Eds.), Global challenges in integrated coastal zone management (pp. 218-228). United Kingdom: John Wiley & Sons. DOI Scopus4 |
| 2012 | Myers, S., Thomsen, D., Tarte, D., Dutra, L., Ellis, N., Thebaud, O., . . . Smith, T. (2012). Adaptive learning and coastal management in South-east Queensland, Australia. In R. Kenchington, L. Stocker, & D. Wood (Eds.), Sustainable Coastal Management and Climate Adaptation: Global Lessons from Regional Approaches in Australia (1 ed., pp. 157-176). Australia: CSIRO Publishing. |
| 2012 | Nursey-Bray, M., & Miller, A. (2012). Ports and climate change: building skills in climate change adaptation, Australia. In W. Filho (Ed.), Climate Change and the Sustainable Use of Water Resources (1 ed., pp. 273-282). Germany: Springer. DOI Scopus8 |
| 2012 | Nursey-Bray, M. J., & Table, M. (2012). Observed and projected changes in some climate change observations and their likely impact on the port sector. In Dowling, A. Carew, & R. Hadgraft (Eds.), Engineering Your Future (2nd ed., pp. 672). |
| 2011 | Nursey-Bray, M. (2011). Indigenous Peoples, Marine Protected Areas and Ecologically Sustainable Development. In W. Gullett, C. Schofield, & J. Vince (Eds.), Marine Resources Management (1 ed., pp. 239-251). Australia: Reed International Books Australia. |
| 2009 | Nursey-Bray, M., & Ferrier, T. (2009). Risk assessment and local government, Tasmania: Applying an interdisciplinary approach to climate change adaptation. In Interdisciplinary aspects of climate change, 2009 (pp. 245-263). Peter Lang. |
| 2009 | Nursey-Bray, M. (2009). Climate change, coastal communities and governance: developing solutions for change in Australia. In E. Dahl, E. Moksness, & J. Stottrup (Eds.), Integrated Coastal Zone Management (pp. 306-317). United Kingdom: Wiley. DOI Scopus2 |
| 2009 | Nursey-Bray, M. (2009). Australia at a discursive crossroads: Climate change and foreign policy. In P. G. Harris (Ed.), Climate Change and Foreign Policy Case Studies from East to West (pp. 18-35). Routledge. DOI Scopus2 |
| 2007 | Smajgl, A., Nursey-Bray, M., Vella, K., & Herr, A. (2007). Building Institutional Incentives in Dying Communities. In A. Smajgl, & S. Larson (Eds.), Sustainable resource use: institutional dynamics and economics (pp. 220-239). United Kingdom: Earthscan. DOI |
| 2006 | Anderson, K., & Spahni, P. (2006). Globalization. In Oxford companion to wine, 2006 (pp. 316-317). Oxford University Press. DOI |
| - | Dombroski, K., Goodwin, M., Qian, J., Williams, A., & Cloke, P. (2024). Introducing Human Geographies. Routledge. DOI |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Nursey-Bray, M. (2025). A case study from east trinity inlet. Canberra. |
| 2023 | Myers, B., Ahammed, F., Barratt, R., Bradley, M., Chesterfield, C., Crase, L., . . . Shanafield, M. (2023). Future urban water management options for a vibrant and resilient Adelaide (22/16). Adelaide: Goyder Institute for Water Research, South Australia. |
| 2021 | Nursey-Bray, M. (2021). Communicating climate change impacts on Australian coastal and marine environments to their human communities (1). Melbourne. |
| 2021 | Nursey-Bray, M., Lam, C., & Kamal, M. (2021). Remarkable Southern Flinders Ranges Project - A SWOT Analysis (1). Clare. |
| 2021 | Future, E. A. (2021). Sustainable Oceans and Coasts National Strategy 2021-2030. Canberra. |
| 2021 | Lam, C., & Nursey-Bray, M. (2021). Wellbeing Gap Analysis: Legatus Group Northern Councils Report (1). Clare: Legatus Group and University of Adelaide. |
| 2021 | National Academy of Sciences. (2021). The risks to Australia of a 3°C warmer world. |
| 2020 | Nursey-Bray, M., Gienger, A., Amegavi, G., & Murgatroyd, S. (2020). Reconciliation Action Planning Northern and Yorke Region SA (1). Clare: Legatus Group and University of Adelaide. |
| 2020 | Nursey-Bray, M., Kamal, M., & Di Giacomo, M. (2020). Building a Culture for Encouraging Regional Youth into Volunteering (1). Clare: Legatus Group and University of Adelaide. |
| 2020 | Woodward, E., Hill, R., Harkness, P., & Archer, R. (2020). Our Knowledge Our Way in caring for Country: indigenous-led approaches to strengthening and sharing our knowledge for land and sea management. Best Practice Guidelines from Australian experiences (1). Cairns, Australia: CSIRO and NAILSMA. |
| 2019 | Tanner, J., Bailleul, F., Bryars, S., Doubell, M., Foster, N., Gaylard, S., . . . Ward, T. (2019). Potential social, economic and ecological indicators for integrated ecosystem assessment of Spencer Gulf (19/32). Adelaide, South Australia. |
| 2019 | Reinhold, S. -L., Hemming, S., Holland, S., Nursey-Bray, M., Rogers, P., & Sutherland, L. (2019). Marine Sciences and Meeting Indigenous Research Priorities Workshop (978-0-646-80061-5). |
| 2019 | Goldsworthy, S., Bailleul, F., Nursey-Bray, M., Mackay, A., Oxley, A., Reinhold, S. -L., & Shaughnessy, P. (2019). Assessment of the impacts of seal populations on the seafood industry in South Australia (FRDC Assessment of the impacts of seal populations on the seafood industry in South Australia). Australian Capital Territory: Fisheries and Research Development Corporation and South Australian Research and Development Institute. |
| 2017 | Nursey-Bray, M. J., Bicknell, N., Sullivan, A., Magnusson, A., Morisson, J., & Magnusson, M. (2017). Isolating social and economic objectives within multiple stakeholder fisheries: a case study of the South Australian Marine Scale Fishery (2015-2020). Australian Capital Territory: FRDC. |
| 2015 | Jorgensen, B., Martin, J., & Nursey-Bray, M. J. (2015). Women, executive careers and local government (2014.38). Centre for Housing, Urban and Regional Planning, University of Adelaide. |
| 2015 | Nursey-Bray, M. J., & Arabana Aboriginal Corporation. (2015). The Arabana people, water and developing cultural indicators for country (15/29). Adelaide: Goyder Institute for Water Research. |
| 2013 | Nursey-Bray, M., Fergie, D., Arbon, V., Rigney, L., Palmer, R., Tibby, J., . . . Hackworth, L. (2013). Community based adaptation to climate change: The Arabana, South Australia (92/13). Australia: National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility. |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2023 | Gienger, A. (2023). Participation to Partnerships: An Exploration of Reconciliation, Co-management and their Interconnection in the South Australian Context. (PhD Thesis, University of Adelaide). |
| Date | Project Name/ Number | Investigators | Funding Body | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 - 2027 | Toys For Turtles, Tiwi Islands, NT | Wootton, N, Nursey-Bray, M. and Gillanders, B. | Cybec Foundation | $176,000 |
| 2025- 2026 | CLLMM Research Centre Horizon Scan project | M Nursey-Bray, B Le Busque | Goyder Centre for Water Research | $56,000 |
| 2025 | Visiting Fellow: Dr Ana Maria Falla Vargas: Towards a Pluriverse, Australia and Colombia | A Vargas, M Nursey-Bray | Global Engagement, UoA | $20,000 |
| 2023 - 2025 | Toys for Turtles, Dhimurru, NT. | Wootton, N, Nursey-Bray, M. and Gillanders, B. | DCCEEW | $279,755 |
| 2023 - 2025 | Project-level blue carbon ecosystem restoration benefits measurement, verification and accounts | Jones, A. Tanner, J (SARDI), Wheeler, S., Nursey-Bray, M., Carnell, P (Deakin) | DCCEEW | $1,146,729.10 |
| 2015-2025 | Sustainable Futures Exchange Program | M Nursey-Bray | William and Mary College, USA | $300,000 |
| 2023 - 2024 | Tasmanian Tiger Meets Manga: Australia and Japan beyond Eco-Anxiety | Yoneyama, S., Nursey-Bray, M, Weinstein P; Lemieux D; Kawakami Y | DFAT 2022-2023 Australia-Japan Foundation Grant, ID 2022005 | $30,000 |
| 2022 - 2032 | One Basin CRC Governance Theme Leader/program (shared with ANU), Project: Future Governance for Water Limited Futures | Nursey-Bray, M, Daniell, K (ANU) and Aldridge K (Watertrust) | One Basin CRC | $225,000 |
| 2022 - 2023 | Blue Carbon Framework Accounting | Nursey-Bray, M and Mandingalbay Yidinji Corporation | Department of Climate Change Energy, Environment and Water | $275,000 |
| 2021 - 2023 | Caring for Country: Sea Country Planning | Nursey-Bray, M | Country Needs People | $150,000 |
| 2022 | SEQ Water Climate Risk Assessment | Westra, S and Nursey-Bray, M | SEQ Water | $26,000 |
| 2022 | National Park City Adelaide consultation | Nursey-Bray, M. | Green Adelaide | $8000 |
| 2022 - 2026 | Pathways for Indigenous and Western knowledge into environmental policy | Nursey-Bray, M | Australian Research Council | $1,038,892 |
| 2021 | Climate communications to marine and coastal communities, Victoria | Nursey-Bray, M | Victorian Coastal and Marine Coastal Council | $7500 |
| 2021 | Wellbeing in regions | Nursey-Bray, M | Legatus Group | $15,000 |
| 2021 | Normalising climate change communications for coastal communities, Victoria | Nursey-Bray, M | Coast ans Marine Planning Group, State Government, Victoria | $7500 |
| 2021 | Southern Remarkable Tourism Project | Nursey-Bray, M | Legatus group | $15,000 |
| 2020 - 2022 | Finding the Fab Five! Enhancing community values and marine protected areas | Nursey-Bray, M, Gillanders, B., Lange, J | Commonwealth government, MPA Program | $278,000 |
| 2020 | Reconciliation in Regions | Nursey-Bray, M | Legatus Group | $15,000 |
| 2019 | Youth Volunteering in regions | Nursey-Bray, M | Legatus Group | $16,000 |
| 2018 | Social Impact Assessment, Indigenous Supermarkets Alice Springs | Nursey-Bray, M | BDO Consulting | $15,000 |
| 2018 | More than providing a microphone: Establishing a research cluster for public engagement with STEM research and policy | Ankeny R; Braunack-Mayer A; Bray H; Brown H; Burton R; Conduit J; Falkner K; Grutzner F; Michell D; Musgrave I, Nursey-Bray, M, Plewa, C and Street, J | FND000166: University of Adelaide - Interdisciplinary Research Funding Scheme | $65,000 |
| 2018 | Humanitarian Emergencies in a Digital World: big data, human networks and the role of situational awareness | Skuse A; Nursey-Bray M; Kakare C; Birzer C; Brown H; Szabo C | FND000166: University of Adelaide - Interdisciplinary Research Funding Scheme | $30,000 |
| 2017- 2019 | Placemaking and Tactical Urbanism Program | Kellett J; Palazzo E; Worrall J; Nursey-Bray M | Myers Foundation | $132,000 |
| 2017- 2019 | Goyder Project HE 17 01: Socio ecological assessment of the ecosystems, industries and communities of Spencer Gulf | B. Gillanders, P. Cassey & M. Nursey-Bray | Goyder Institute | $300,000 |
| 2017- 2018 | Social Impact Assessment, Sea Port, Kangaroo Island | Nursey-Bray, M | Environmental Projects | $27,000 |
| 2017- 2018 | Academic Plane Travel | M Nursey-Bray, R Palmer, T Wanner, C Birzer | Ecoversity (UoA) | $13,000 |
| 2016- 2018 | Developing social indicators to improve social license to operate for the Marine Scale fishery | Nursey-Bray, M. & Bicknell, N | FRDC | $52,000 |
| 2015- current | William and Mary College, Teaching Sustainability | Nursey-Bray, M | Environmental Projects | $27,000 annually |
| 2015- 2017 | Climate Change Adaption Research Network (Vulnerable communities including human health) | Bi,P., Hanson-Easy, S., Nitscke, M. Nursey-Bray, M., Pisaniello, D., Tan, Y., Weinstein, P., Zhanh, Y., Hansen, A & Williams, S | ORG119308: NCCARF Research Network | $300,000 |
| 2015- 2017 | NCCARF SEI Project | Nursey-Bray, M | NCCARF SEI | $365,000 |
| 2015 | Application of tracking technologies to understand space-time explicit patterns of movement, residency and habitat use of pelagic sharks in Spencer Gulf | Nursey-Bray, M | FRDC | $23,000 |
| 2014- 2015 | Assessing perception of the economic impact of seal-fisher interactions | Nursey-Bray, M | FRDC | $20,000 |
| 2014- 2015 | Women in Leadership Project | Martin, J., Jorgensen, B & Nursey-Bray, M | Local Government Association, SA | $35,000 |
| 2014- 2015 | Task 3: Cultural Indicators Project Goyder | Lewis, M., White, D. & Nursey-Bray, M | SARDI/Goyder Institute | $366,581 |
| 2014 | AW NRM Grant | Nursey-Bray, M | AW NRM Grant | $20,000 |
| 2014 | FRAGS Community Gardens | Nursey-Bray, M, Ankeny, R, Rudd & Bray, H | University of Adelaide, Faculty of Arts | $4,500 |
| 2014 | FRAGS Adaptive Capacity | Nursey-Bray, M | University of Adelaide, Faculty of Arts | $4,500 |
| 2014 | Teaching and Learning Grant: Developing Online Excel Training for Globalisation | Nursey-Bray, M | University of Adelaide, Faculty of Arts | $2,500 |
| 2013- 2015 | USC/APN Project on co-management and adaptive capacity (fisheries) | Fidelman, P, & Nursey-Bray, M | Asia/Pacific Network for Global Research | $50,000 |
| 2013 | SANTS evaluation contract | Nursey-Bray, M | SANTS | $5,000 |
| 2013 | Subcontract-Eyes-on-the-water:Inspiring Australians through participation in science-A123926 | Nursey-Bray, M | Inspiring Australia | $25,000 |
| 2013 | Coastal Fisheries Workshop, Vietnamese Officials | Nursey-Bray, M | University of Sunshine Coast | $2,000 |
| 2012- 2013 | India-Australia Strategic Research Grant | Frusher, S., Hobday, A., Van Putten, I., Pecl, G., Haward, M. & Nursey-Bray, M | India-Australia Strategic Grant Scheme | $120,000 |
| 2012 | Local Government Workshops on climate change adaptation /vulnerability for the Mount Lofty NRM Board (internal) | Clarke, B. and Nursey-Bray, M | ML NRM | $10,000 |
| 2012 | External masters supervision (requested engineering) | Nursey-Bray, M | University of Adelaide, Faculty of Engineering, Computer & Mathematical Sciences | $3,000 |
| 2012 | Hosting/coordination of social inclusion and climate change workshop, for Professor Carol Johnson (Politics) | Nursey-Bray, M | University of Adelaide, Faculty of Arts | $5,000 |
| 2012 | Fay Gale monies for leading theme activities | Nursey-Bray, M | University of Adelaide, Faculty of Arts | $1,000 |
| 2012 | White paper prize | Nursey-Bray, M | University of Adelaide, Faculty of Arts | $500 |
| 2012 | Bottom Drawer Fellowship Fay Gale | Nursey-Bray, M | University of Adelaide, Faculty of Arts | $1,000 |
| 2011- 2013 | NCCARF Climate Change Arabana project | Nursey-Bray, M, Fergie, D., Arbon, V., Rigney, L., Tibby, J., Palmer, R., & Harvey. N. | NCCARF IC11 08 | $248,900 |
| 2011- 2012 | Winter schools transfers (Internal) | Nursey-Bray, M | University of Adelaide, Faculty of Arts | $11,000 |
| 2011 | UTAS consultancy (delivering block course for UTAS) (external) | Nursey-Bray, M | University of Tasmania, AMC | $7,100 |
| 2010- 2014 | CSIRO Coastal Cluster project: I was listed PI in the knowledge (UTAS) and adaptive learning (USC) themes (Cat 1) | Nursey-Bray, M & 40 researchers across five universities | CSIRO | $4,000,000 across Australia |
| 2010 | Final payment for the DCCE Climate Change Project (External) | Nursey-Bray, M | UTAS/DCC | $30,000 |
| 2010 | UTAS consultancy (delivering block course for UTAS) (external) | Nursey-Bray, M | UTAS | $7,100 |
| 2010 | FRAGS Grant on community vulnerability | Nursey-Bray, M | University of Adelaide, Faculty of Arts | $5,000 |
| Date | Course Title | Course Level / Code |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Geography, Environment and Population | Level 1, GEOG 1104 | |
| Geographies of Globalisation | Level 1, GEOG 1101 | |
| Environmental Ethics | Level 2, GEOG 2156 | |
| Space and Society | Level 2, GEOG 269 | |
| Indigenous Peoples and The Environment | Level 2, GEOG 2150 | |
| Introduction to Environmental Impact Assessment | Level 3, GEOG 3921 | |
| Coasts, Conflict and Community Development | Level 3, GEOG 2159 | |
| Introduction to Urbanisation | Masters, GEOG 5093 | |
| Engaging Communities/Community Engagement | Masters, GEOG 5095/ GEOG 5005 | |
| Sustainable Futures | Winter school |
| Date | Role | Research Topic | Program | Degree Type | Student Load | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Principal Supervisor | Blue Carbon Communities: Integrating local perceptions and input into Blue Carbon Development Projects within Indonesia. | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Mr Mathew O'Brien |
| 2025 | Principal Supervisor | A more effective use of the mining industry value chain and effective Strategies for sustainable local development: Concepts for a framework and Policy approach | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Mr Namatai Arcdon Ruswa |
| 2025 | Principal Supervisor | Climate Adaptation in Indonesian Industrial Estate Development | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Mrs Raisa Savitri Ramadhani |
| 2025 | Principal Supervisor | Understanding how communities of natural resource users are affected by UNESCO World Heritage listing in Australia. | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Mrs Meagan Rosaghna Magnusson |
| 2025 | Co-Supervisor | Household Behaviour, Market Development & Policy Coordination | Master of Philosophy | Master | Full Time | Mr Zac Horbelt |
| 2024 | Co-Supervisor | What strategies can local government and non-government bodies implement in the Adelaide region to further support and develop food sovereignty in the local food system? | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Ms Kahlia Clarke |
| 2023 | Principal Supervisor | Co-management of national parks in South Australia, between the State and Aboriginal groups | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Ms Antoinette Margeaux Hennessy |
| 2023 | Principal Supervisor | Acclimatising to new futures: government paternalism and reimagining climate action as social change | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Part Time | Ms Amelia McFarlane |
| 2023 | Principal Supervisor | Negotiating empowerment inside the Indigenous Rangers Program in the Lake Eyre Basin (Australia). | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Miss Maria Cristina Enjuto Crespo |
| 2022 | Principal Supervisor | Climate Change Adaptation in Agriculture in Bangladesh: The Connectivity and Missing Links of Formal Institutions | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Mr Md Torikul Islam |
| Date | Role | Research Topic | Program | Degree Type | Student Load | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 - 2024 | Co-Supervisor | Coal Dust Risks, Community Disempowerment, and Unwillingness to Pay for a Hypothetical Coal Dust Reduction: Paradoxical Tensions in Coal-Dependent Regional Australia | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Ms Laura Anne Cattonar |
| 2020 - 2023 | Principal Supervisor | Participation to Partnerships: An Exploration of Reconciliation, Co-management and their Interconnection in the South Australian Context | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Dr Ariane Sophia Gienger |
| 2020 - 2024 | Principal Supervisor | Decent exposure? Decision makers influence nature connection by shaping the urban landscape | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Ms Celeste Kylie Hill |
| 2019 - 2023 | Principal Supervisor | The Human-Nature Relationship in Germany: Nature Connections and Disconnections in Urban and Rural Areas | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Ms Vera Theresa Storp |
| 2019 - 2020 | Co-Supervisor | State Power and Environmental NGOs in South Australia: Moving Towards a Sustainable Society? | Master of Philosophy | Master | Full Time | Mrs Meagan Rosaghna Magnusson |
| 2019 - 2024 | Principal Supervisor | The Policy Implementation Gap: Revisiting Water Governance in the Swan Canning River System | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Mrs Daisy Ofori |
| 2019 - 2023 | Principal Supervisor | Resilience Planning to Climate Change in Ghana: Community Participation and Social Equity | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Mr George Babington Amegavi |
| 2018 - 2023 | Principal Supervisor | Management of Climate-Stressed Wetlands to Create Climate Resilience of Bangladeshi Wetland Communities | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Mr Syed Mohammad Aminur Rahman |
| 2016 - 2019 | Principal Supervisor | Exploring the Nexus Between Corporate Environmental Responsibility and Regulatory Oversight in Ghana's Upstream Petroleum Industry | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Mr Derrick Martin Adjei Sowa |
| 2016 - 2019 | Principal Supervisor | Mining, Power and Sustainable Development: Micro-Politics of Benefits Sharing in Ghana | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Mr Jerome Jeffison Yaw Ofori |
| 2016 - 2021 | Principal Supervisor | Grassroots Social Resistance Movements: The Influence of Conflict Narratives in Relation to Mining Policy Development in Australia and the United Kingdom | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Bridie Meyer-McLean |
| 2016 - 2019 | Principal Supervisor | Building Adaptive Capacity to Climate Change Through NGO-Initiated Community-Based Adaptation: Insights from Southeast Coastal Communities in Bangladesh | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Mr Masud Kamal |
| 2015 - 2019 | Co-Supervisor | Smallholder Farmers' Perceptions of Climate Change, Vulnerability and Adaptation in the Context of Multiple Factors in the Tigray region of Ethiopia | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Miss Rahwa Gebremedhine Kidane |
| 2015 - 2016 | Co-Supervisor | Migration from South Africa to Australia | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Part Time | Dr Romy Wasserman |
| 2015 - 2019 | Principal Supervisor | Climate Variability and Farm-households in the Sudan Savannah Zone of Ghana | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Mr Gerald Atampugre |
| 2015 - 2023 | Principal Supervisor | Who is Best Placed to Make What Decisions? Multilevel Governance and Adaptation to Climate Change – Some Observations from South Australia. | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Mr Barry Garth Lincoln |
| 2013 - 2017 | Principal Supervisor | Gender Vulnerability to Climate Change and Livelihood Security in Urban Slum Communities in Accra, Ghana | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Mr Mensah Owusu |
| 2012 - 2016 | Principal Supervisor | Staying on the Map: An Analysis of the Immediate Outcomes OF Amalgamation of Palestinian Local Government in the West Bank | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Miss Majida Awashreh |
| 2011 - 2013 | Co-Supervisor | "Challenges and opportunities for an integrated coastal management (ICM) approach in Jakarta Bay, Indonesia | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Mrs Evi Siti Sofiyah |
| 2011 - 2013 | Co-Supervisor | An Integrated Approach to Sustainable Management of Reef-Based Scuba Dive Tourism: A Case Study of Koh Tao, Thailand | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Dr Panwad Wongthong |
| 2011 - 2016 | Co-Supervisor | ARTISAN FISHERS’ PERCEPTIONS OF, AND ADAPTATION TO, CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE SOUTHEAST COAST OF BANGLADESH | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Dr Zaheed Hasan |
| 2011 - 2017 | Co-Supervisor | Risky Environments: Governance and Adaptation for Future Flood Risk | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Part Time | Miss Rhiannon Niven |
| 2010 - 2017 | Co-Supervisor | Challenges for Integrated Coastal Management in the Australian Federation Understanding Intergovernmental Tension: A Case Study of South Australia | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Part Time | Ms Nicole Sheree Pelton |
| Date | Role | Board name | Institution name | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 - ongoing | Board Member | Stretton Institute Advisory Board | University of Adelaide | Australia |
| 2018 - 2021 | Member | The Wilderness Society Management Board | The Wilderness Society | Australia |
| 2016 - ongoing | Council | Royal Geographical Society of South Australia | RGSA | Australia |
| 2013 - 2013 | Board Member | Conservation Council of South Australia | CCSA | Australia |
| Date | Role | Committee | Institution | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 - ongoing | Member | Scientific Advisory Panel: Lake Eyre Basin | Lake Eyre Basin Secretariat | Australia |
| 2022 - 2026 | Member | Marine Estate Knowledge Expert Panel | NSW Government | Australia |
| 2022 - 2026 | Member | Academic Board, Elected member (level D/E) | University of Adelaide | Australia |
| 2021 - ongoing | Chair | Sustainability Strategy Steering Committee | University of Adelaide | Australia |
| 2021 - 2021 | Board Member | K’gari World Heritage Advisory Committee | Queensland Government | Australia |
| 2021 - 2022 | Member | Urban Water Expert Panel | Goyder Institute for Water Research | Australia |
| 2020 - 2022 | Chair | Animal Ethics Committee | University of Adelaide | Australia |
| 2020 - ongoing | Member | Ocean and Coasts Expert Working Group | Future earth, National Academy of Sciences | Australia |
| 2020 - ongoing | Member | Sustainability Advisory Committee | Legatus Group, South Australia | Australia |
| 2019 - ongoing | Advisory Board Member | North-West Australian Marine Park Advisory Committee | Australian Government | Australia |
| 2019 - ongoing | Member | South West Marine Protected Are Committee (SWMPAC) | DCCEEW, Australian Government | Australia |
| 2019 - ongoing | Board Member | South West Marine Park Management Committee | Commonwealth Government Department of Environment, Australia | Australia |
| 2019 - ongoing | Member | State of Victoria Marine and Coastal Advisory Committee | State Government of Victoria, Australia | Australia |
| 2018 - ongoing | Member | University Enrolment Policy Working Group | University of Adelaide | Australia |
| 2018 - ongoing | Member | Marine Biosecurity Forum | SA Deprtament of Primary Industries | Australia |
| 2018 - 2018 | Member | Faculty of Arts Research Committee, Social Sciences Representative | University of Adelaide | Australia |
| 2018 - ongoing | Member | World Commission Protected Areas | UNWCPA | Belgium |
| 2018 - ongoing | Member | Marine Biosecurity Taskforce | Collaboration across States | Australia |
| 2018 - ongoing | Director | SA Board, The Wilderness Society | Wilderness Society | Australia |
| 2016 - ongoing | Member | College of Reviewers Teaching and Learning | University of Adelaide | Australia |
| 2016 - ongoing | Advisory Board Member | Executive Committee, NCCARF Vulnerable Communiites Network | University of Adelaide | Australia |
| 2015 - ongoing | Member | School of Social Sciences Teaching and Learning Committee | University of Adelaide | Australia |
| 2014 - ongoing | Advisory Board Member | Advisory Board, Masters of Planning | University of Adelaide | Austria |
| 2013 - ongoing | Chair | REDMAP Communiyt Engagement Committee | University of Tasmania | Australia |
| 2013 - 2013 | Member | Management Board | Conservation Council of South | Australia |
| 2011 - 2013 | Member | Management Committee | Australia HERDSA | Australia |
| Date | Role | Membership | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 - ongoing | Director | Adaptation, Community, Environment (ACE) Research Group | Australia |
| 2015 - ongoing | Member | Regional Stiudies Association | Australia |
| 2014 - ongoing | Member | Royal Geographical Society | Australia |
| 2010 - ongoing | Member | Institute of Australian Geographers | Australia |
| Date | Institution | Department | Organisation Type | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 - ongoing | Other Environmental Conservation Measures (OECMs) Taskforce | IUCN | Conservation and environment | Switzerland |
| 2015 - 2016 | Oxfam | Environment/Indigenous section | Civil rights activities | Australia |
| 2015 - 2016 | Griffith University | NCCARF | Conservation and environment | Australia |
| 2010 - ongoing | World Conservation Protecetd Areas (WCPA) | WCPA | Conservation and environment | Australia |
| Date | Role | Editorial Board Name | Institution | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 - ongoing | Associate Editor | PLOS Climate | PLOS, California | United States |
| 2021 - ongoing | Board Member | Ocean and Coastal Management, Elsevier | Elsevier Press | United States |
| 2018 - ongoing | Associate Editor | Sustainability | MDPI Publishing | Australia |
| 2018 - ongoing | Associate Editor | Australian Journal of Environmental Management | Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand | Australia |
| 2015 - ongoing | Editor | Royal Geographical Journal of South Australia | - | Australia |
| 2015 - ongoing | Associate Editor | Helyion | - | Australia |
| 2012 - ongoing | Associate Editor | GEOView: Online Undergraduate Review of Geography and Environmental Studies |
- | Australia |
| 2008 - ongoing | Associate Editor | Journal of Research Practice | - | - |
| Date | Office Name | Institution | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 - ongoing | Theme Leader Sustainable Governance, Adelaide-Nottingham Research Alliance | University of Nottingham | Australia |
| 2022 - 2024 | Vice President Elect | Institute of Australian Geographers | Australia |
| 2021 - 2022 | Deputy Dean Research, Faculty of Arts | University of Adelaide | Australia |
| 2019 - 2022 | Interim Head of School, Social Sciences | University of Adelaide | Australia |
| 2019 - 2022 | Convenor, Animal Ethics Committee | University of Adelaide | Australia |
| 2019 - ongoing | Expert Member | Victorian Marine and Coastal Coast Council, Victoria | Australia |
| 2019 - 2022 | Deputy Director, Fay Gale Centre for Research in Gender | University of Adelaide | Australia |
| 2014 - ongoing | Head of Department, Geography, Environment and Population | University of Adelaide | Australia |
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