Nikki Dumbrell

I am interested in research at the nexus of environmental and economic systems, in particular natural resource dependent industries such as energy and agriculture, and more specifically how we can improve management of, and coexistence of these systems. Further, I seek to engage in research projects that can improve understanding of issues from the perspective of multiple stakeholders and use these perspectives to inform decision-making at household, firm, industry and government levels.

My PhD research (commenced mid-2018) is concerned with links between the social licence to operate, economics and decision-making with particular focus applied to natural resource dependent industries, including agriculture and energy. In 2019 I started working with the Future Fuels Cooperative Research Centre (FFCRC). The FFCRC was established in 2018 with an overarching objective to support Australia’s transition to a low carbon energy future. The research I am undertaking with the FFCRC seeks to identify factors that may contribute to community decisions to grant or withhold a social licence for a hydrogen industry in our low carbon future.

For much of 2017-2018 I worked on projects to improve the profitability and sustainability of vegetable industries in Southeast Asia (at The University of Adelaide).

For much of 2013-2016 I worked on projects related to carbon farming adoption and the trade-offs between greenhouse gas mitigation and other objectives for Australian grain growers (at The University of Western Australia).