The Keynotes
Keynote 1: What GBR decision makers want: a reflection on how human dimensions knowledge currently informs GBR decision making, and how it could....
Dr Anthea Coggan is a senior environmental economist with CSIRO Environment based in Brisbane, Australia. Anthea’s research focuses on the human side of environmental management challenges. With an increasing focus on the Great Barrier Reef (GBR), Anthea is advancing the application of economic science in Reef management. Particularly, Anthea is leading research into how the Reef is used and the extent and distribution of the benefits generated from this use. Anthea is also applying economic understanding to inform the design of interventions for water quality improving land management in Reef catchments. Anthea leads the Regions in Transition Team and coordinates CSIRO’s GBR focused social science.
Keynote 2: Yarra yadaba: A case study of cross-cultural connection and 2-way learning in reef research
Libby Evans-Illidge
Leading the Indigenous Partnerships Program at AIMS is definitely Libby’s career highlight to date. She has had the privilege of working with descendants of Australia’s original marine scientists, helping to transform AIMS’ relationships with First Nations people and establish new ways of bringing AIMS science alongside traditional knowledge and Indigenous perspectives. Prior to her current role, Libby enjoyed a 40-year diverse marine science career blending the doing of science with its uptake and application, including 11 years as Research Director of AIMS@JCU.
Harry Van Issum
Twenty-five years as a lecturer and researcher at Griffith University hasn’t dampened his enthusiasm for caring for his sea country. He is a Woppaburra traditional custodian and is the chairperson of Woppaburra TUMRA (Traditional Use of Marine Resources Agreement) Aboriginal Corporation. His recent work has focused on the socio-cultural and economic advancement of the Woppaburra people and sea country. Along with other colleagues, he has been successful in a number of grants leading to the establishment of a new office, a Ranger program, restoration activities and numerous employment opportunities for his people. This has been made possible through genuine two-way partnerships.
Meaghan Cummins
As a proud Woppaburra woman, Meaghan has spent her life immersed in culture through Woppaburra, Yalanji, Djiru and Worrongo bloodlines. From a family history of fierce protest and soft nurturing, Meaghan’s strong principles have allowed her to fulfil roles as a chairperson, corporation director and manager of a successful on-country youth program. Her strong cultural insights have spawned the coral dance and innovative approaches to blend western and traditional sciences.
Josh Morris-Langton
As a young and motivated Woppaburra man, Josh has passion for his culture and his people. After spending years in Aurukun, the salt water man returned to his own country and the coastal regions. He has a drive to fuse traditional connection to country with modern cultural practices. He achieves this through story and dance and is a member of the respected Jaran Dance Troupe. He also currently works at Palm Beach Currumbin State High as a cultural liaison educator.
News of the Great Barrier Reef: Stories of Media and Politics
Expert Panel Discussion
Dr Claire Konkes
Dr Claire Konkes is a Senior Lecturer in Media at the University of Tasmania. Her research explores the intersections of news media, public debate, policy and law, especially in environmental matters. Some of her recent projects have looked at media representations of environmental public interest litigation and Australian environmental policy, and her book, Green Lawfare (2024) looks at the strategic use of law during environmental conflict. Her journalistic work has been published in The Monthly and The Conversation.
Karen Paterson
Karen Paterson (nee’ Dorante) is a Wagadam/Daurareb woman from the Torres Strait. She has been involved in media for over 30 years and is currently the general manager of the National Indigenous Radio Service, based in Brisbane. She has also worked in various roles at 98.9FM, Radio 4MW and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Karen is an advocate for the Indigenous community radio sector and is a director on First Nations Media Australia, Torres News and the Murri School.
Graham Readfearn
Graham Readfearn is a climate and environment reporter for the Guardian, with almost 30 years experience in newspapers, magazines, radio and online news. Graham leads Guardian Australia's coverage of the science, health and politics of the reef.
Dr. Maxine Newlands
Dr. Maxine Newlands is a former journalist, and now a leading policy analyst and political scientist specializing in the media's impact on Reef policy. Max is a highly respected leader in environmental policy analysis and Reef politics. Her recent publications include editor of Critical Approaches to the Australian Blue Humanities (Routledge, 2024) and author of Environmental Politics of the Great Barrier Reef (Routledge, 2025).
Sean Kennedy
Sean Kennedy is the Senior Media Advisor at the Climate Media Centre (Climate Council). Sean has worked in the media industry for over 15 years as a producer in broadcast television programming at both Network 10 and 7, as well as producing long form and short form content with independent production companies. Sean also has a community-based ecotourism and agroforestry project in the Leuser ecosystem. He is passionate about science communication and supporting a public narrative which is conducive to humanity finding its equilibrium within nature by design rather than disaster.
The workshop facilitators
Sean Kennedy
Sean Kennedy is the Senior Media Advisor at the Climate Media Centre (Climate Council). Sean has worked in the media industry for over 15 years as a producer in broadcast television programming at both Network 10 and 7, as well as producing long form and short form content with independent production companies. Sean also has a community-based ecotourism and agroforestry project in the Leuser ecosystem. He is passionate about science communication and supporting a public narrative which is conducive to humanity finding its equilibrium within nature by design rather than disaster.
Dr Jacqui Lau
Dr Jacqui Lau is an environmental social scientist and DECRA Fellow whose interdisciplinary research spans human geography, development studies, sociology, and conservation to explore change in coastal communities. She has studied ecosystem services, customary management of coral reefs, and equity in conservation and climate change policy in the Pacific and beyond. Jacqui’s current research focuses on how moral values shape adaptation to environmental change along the Great Barrier Reef.
Dr Claudia Benham
Dr Claudia Benham is an environmental social scientist and ARC DECRA Fellow at the University of Queensland. Her work explores how communities experience and respond to environmental change in marine and coastal ecosystems, with a focus on Australia and the Pacific region. Claudia’s current research examines how climate change affects community wellbeing in the Great Barrier Reef region through experiences of ecological grief and loss, and how inclusive governance practices can help to bring about sustainable futures for people and the Reef.
Maria Rosier
Maria Rosier is Manager of Reef Policy at the Queensland Office of the Great Barrier Reef and World Heritage. Maria is an experienced environmental policy professional with over 15 years knowledge and application of environmental policy and legislation in Queensland. Maria has delivered reforms for the Environmental Protection Act, the Nature Conservation Act and the Great Barrier Reef. Maria loves working with people from all backgrounds to find solutions and deliver outcomes for our future generations. Maria comes from Brazil, is passionate about the environment and loves travelling, especially if a beach is involved.
Edith Muruka
Edith Muruka is Senior Policy Officer of Reef Water Quality Policy and Science at the Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. Edith has vast international experience in the public, private and community sectors in policy design, development, implementation and analysis. She enjoys travel, languages and volunteers on community radio.
Megan Bickle
Meg Bickle, Principal Policy Officer in the Office of the Great Barrier Reef & World Heritage (OGBRWH), leads the delivery of the Human Dimensions program of work to support Reef 2050 WQIP targets and outcomes. Meg has spent the last 10 years working closely with the agricultural sector in the Reef regions to design and deliver on-ground practice change projects and Best Management Practice programs. Meg is passionate about sustainable agriculture, and applying social and behavioural insights within Reef projects to enhance the likelihood of achieving enduring farm practice change, ensuring gains for farmers and the Reef are maximised.
Mark Limb
Mark Limb is a Senior Lecturer at the Queensland University of Technology, and a qualified urban planner with almost two decades of experience in urban development. He has expertise in policy evaluation, governance, infill development, and land use planning. He has been involved in developing a Reef governance evaluation framework as part of the Integrated Monitoring and Reporting program, has published contributions to the theory and practice of policy evaluation and implementation, and maintains ongoing research in the policy evaluation field, utilising both qualitative and quantitative approaches.