Overview
Background
Professor Kristen Lyons is a public intellectual with over twenty years experience in research, teaching and service that delivers national and international impacts on issues that sit at the intersection of sustainability and development, as well as the future of higher education. Trained as a sociologist, Kristen is comfortable working in transdisciplinary teams to deliver socially just outcomes, including for some of the world's most vulnerable communities. Kristen works regularly in Uganda, Solomon Islands and Australia, and her work is grounded in a rights-based approach. In practice, this means centring the rights and interests of local communities, including Indigenous peoples, in her approach to research design, collaboration, and impacts and outcomes. Kristen is also a Senior Research Fellow with the Oakland Institute.
Availability
- Professor Kristen Lyons is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science, Griffith University
- Bachelor (Honours) of Science (Advanced), Griffith University
- Doctor of Philosophy, Central Queensland University
Research interests
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Climate Change and Human Rights
Responses to climate change deliver significant impacts at the local level. I lead cross country research that examines the impacts of carbon trading initiatives - one response to climate change - for local communities.
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Transdisciplinary and Indigenous Rights
I am engaged in research that examines the social, legal and policy frameworks to support Australia to meet its Indigenous rights obligations, especially in the context of a climate changing world.
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Transforming Universities for the Public Good
Today’s university system is increasingly market driven, with institutional requirements that constrain options for public good research and learning. This system stands at odds with the primary and historical role of universities. Higher education movements – including free universities, progressive colleges and civic forums – offer important critical alternatives to this current system. I am engaged in research to analyse a selection of movements, delivering outcomes that will increase knowledge of how alliances and campaigns organise, what their change agenda entails, and how they are transforming universities for the public good.
Research impacts
My recognised role as public intellectual enhances my national and international academic, policy and industry impacts on issues related to the environment, development and human rights. Over the last five years I have led research teams to deliver socially just outcomes for some of the world's most vulnerable communities. For example, I have led research to identify human rights abuses that underpin international carbon offset projects in Uganda. The outcome of this has changed practices of one of the worlds largest plantation forestry and carbon offset companies, and shaped public debates related to global carbon trade projects. Collaborative research with Traditional Owners in Australia has also also delivered outcomes that have impacted public and policy understandings of Australia's indigenous rights obligations in the context of resource development.
To maximise research impact, I regularly work with funding bodies that support collaborative engagement with key partners, and build enduring relations between academic, industry and community groups.
In my role as advisor on a number of government advisory bodies, I have played a part in changing guidelines and policies related to emerging technologies. I was part of a team that provided recommendations to the Department of Industry Science and Resources to ensure Australia's compliance with international organic agriculture and food standards, with outcomes that ensure Australia maintains international market access.
I am committed to publishing broadly in non academic outlets, including in The Conversation (over 126,000 readers, and ranked #3 at UQ in 2018), ABC, New Matilda), and my research regularly features in international and national media.
Works
Search Professor Kristen Lyons’s works on UQ eSpace
2023
Journal Article
A political ecology of farmers’ exposure to pesticides in Ghana
Boafo, James and Lyons, Kristen (2023). A political ecology of farmers’ exposure to pesticides in Ghana. Cogent Food and Agriculture, 9 (2) 2286728. doi: 10.1080/23311932.2023.2286728
2023
Journal Article
When solutions to the climate and biodiversity crises ignore gender, they harm society and the planet
James, Robyn, Lyons, Kristen, McKay, Philippa, Konia, Ruth, Lionata, Hilda and Butt, Nathalie (2023). When solutions to the climate and biodiversity crises ignore gender, they harm society and the planet. Biological Conservation, 287 110308, 1-5. doi: 10.1016/j.biocon.2023.110308
2023
Journal Article
Response to Schildermans’ Book Review
Thompsett, Fern, Lyons, Kristen and Hil, Richard (2023). Response to Schildermans’ Book Review. Studies in Philosophy and Education, 42 (6), 1-5. doi: 10.1007/s11217-023-09901-8
2023
Journal Article
Babatana rainforest conservation project: a lightning rod for others
Lyons, Kristen and Walters, Peter (2023, 09 28). Babatana rainforest conservation project: a lightning rod for others NAKAU Blog 1-2.
2023
Journal Article
Why focusing on our strengths matters: reflections on leaving a volunteer role I actually liked
Lyons, Kristen (2023). Why focusing on our strengths matters: reflections on leaving a volunteer role I actually liked. Community Development Journal, 59 (1) bsad027, 8-11. doi: 10.1093/cdj/bsad027
2023
Other Outputs
Green colonialism 2.0 Tree plantations and carbon offsets in Africa
Devillers, Eve and Lyons, Kristen (2023). Green colonialism 2.0 Tree plantations and carbon offsets in Africa. Oakland, CA, United States: Oakland Institute.
2023
Journal Article
Indigenous rights-led post-extractivist futures in Australia
Lyons, Kristen, Esposito, Anthony and Johnson, Murrawah (2023). Indigenous rights-led post-extractivist futures in Australia. CICADA Newsletter (9), 4-6.
2023
Other Outputs
Never mind the “Green Games” — let’s aim for a 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games that deliver on climate justice
Lyons, Kristen, Walker, Jim and Rashidi, Pedram (2023, 05 15). Never mind the “Green Games” — let’s aim for a 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games that deliver on climate justice ABC Religion and Ethics
2023
Journal Article
The missing voices of the urban poor in climate research and policy making
Walters, Peter and Lyons, Kristen (2023). The missing voices of the urban poor in climate research and policy making. Diálogos Socioambientais, 6 (16), 30-35.
2023
Journal Article
As vozes ausentes dos pobres urbanos na pesquisa climática e na elaboração de políticas
Walters, Peter and Lyons, Kristen (2023). As vozes ausentes dos pobres urbanos na pesquisa climática e na elaboração de políticas. Diálogos Socioambientais, 16 (6) 6, 30-37.
2023
Journal Article
Indigenous peoples’ demand rights-led responses to the climate crisis
Lyons, Kristen and Walters, Peter (2023). Indigenous peoples’ demand rights-led responses to the climate crisis. Dialogos Socioambientais, 6 (16), 24-29.
2023
Journal Article
Os Povos Indígenas e as respostas baseadas em defesa de direitos face à crise climática
Lyons, Kristen and Walters, Peter (2023). Os Povos Indígenas e as respostas baseadas em defesa de direitos face à crise climática. Diálogos Socioambientais, 6 (16) 5, 30-34.
2023
Journal Article
Gender bias and inequity holds women back in their conservation careers
James, Robyn, Fisher, Jonathan, Carlos-Grotjahn, Chelsea, Boylan, Marissa, Dembereldash, Baigalmaa, Demissie, Meaza, De Villegas, Crystal Diaz, Gibbs, Bridget, Konia, Ruth, Lyons, Kristen, Possingham, Hugh, Robinson, Cathy, Tang, Tiantian and Butt, Nathalie (2023). Gender bias and inequity holds women back in their conservation careers. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 10 1056751, 1-16. doi: 10.3389/fenvs.2022.1056751
2023
Book Chapter
Democratizing global climate governance? The case of indigenous representation in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
Rashidi, Pedram and Lyons, Kristen (2023). Democratizing global climate governance? The case of indigenous representation in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Economics and climate emergency. (pp. 284-299) edited by Barry Gills and Jamie Morgan. Abingdon, Oxon, United Kingdom: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9781003174707-21
2022
Journal Article
Post-graduate work integrated learning: using diversity to prepare graduates for a messy and contested world
Lyons, Kristen , Seini, Monica , Coogan West, Catherine , Rashidi, Pedram , Freeman, Camille , Ryall, Glenn , Chen, Susan and Vu, Ciarra (2022). Post-graduate work integrated learning: using diversity to prepare graduates for a messy and contested world. International Journal of Work-Integrated Learning, 23 (4), 595-605.
2022
Other Outputs
To save higher education, we must look beyond traditional university models
Thompsett, Fern, Lyons, Kristen and Hil, Richard (2022, 11 18). To save higher education, we must look beyond traditional university models Times Higher Education
2022
Other Outputs
To save higher education, we must look beyond traditional university models
Thompsett, Fern, Lyons, Kristen and Hil, Richard (2022, 11 17). To save higher education, we must look beyond traditional university models THE Campus
2022
Journal Article
For the common good: why we need ecological universities
Hil, Richard, Lyons, Kristen and Thompsett, Fern (2022). For the common good: why we need ecological universities. Times Higher Education.
2022
Other Outputs
Australia violated the rights of Torres Strait Islanders by failing to act on climate change, the UN says. Here's what that means.
Lyons, Kristen (2022, 09 26). Australia violated the rights of Torres Strait Islanders by failing to act on climate change, the UN says. Here's what that means. The Conversation
2022
Journal Article
Gender and conservation science: men continue to out‐publish women at the world's largest environmental conservation non‐profit organization
James, Robyn, Ariunbaatar, Javkhlan, Bresnahan, Meaghan, Carlos‐Grotjahn, Chelsea, Fisher, Jonathan R. B., Gibbs, Bridget, Hausheer, Justine E., Nakozoete, Cynthia, Nomura, Sarah‐Kate, Possingham, Hugh and Lyons, Kristen (2022). Gender and conservation science: men continue to out‐publish women at the world's largest environmental conservation non‐profit organization. Conservation Science and Practice, 4 (8) e12748. doi: 10.1111/csp2.12748
Funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Kristen Lyons is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Gender, Conservation and Natural Resource Management in Solomon Islands
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Hugh Possingham
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Doctor Philosophy
Postapocalyptic environmental practices: the narratives and political possibilities of the Dark Mountain Project
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Heloise Weber
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Doctor Philosophy
Digital and Agricultural Innovation, and Alternative Agriculture Practices in Australian
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Kiah Smith
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Doctor Philosophy
Political and Environmental Contributions of Agro-Forestry and Permaculture to Build Resilience to Climate Change
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Sonia Roitman
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Doctor Philosophy
Green extractivism, environmental justice and Indigenous Rights: The case of lithium mining in Chile
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Sally Babidge
Completed supervision
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Agrarian Transformation in Ghana's Brong Ahafo Region: Drivers and Outcomes
Principal Advisor
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2018
Master Philosophy
What is food in the food regime?: Remaking food and markets in a time of crisis
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Geoffrey Lawrence
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
Social impact assessment, social justice and scales of knowledge: exploring the emerging mining industry in Solomon Islands
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Simon Albert, Professor Karen McNamara
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
Food sovereignty: alternative policy for a sustainable national food system in Timor-Leste under climate change
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Peter Walters
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2015
Doctor Philosophy
An Island of Success in a Sea of Failure? The MDGs and Sauri Millennium Village in Kenya
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Adjunct Professor Adil Khan
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Resonance of the land grabbing frame in Mali, West Africa: A social movements and political ecology perspective
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Geoffrey Lawrence
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2024
Master Philosophy
Assessment of Menstrual Health and Hygiene interventions in Rural Kenya
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Nina Lansbury
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
What's Cooking in Paradise? An ethnobotanical investigation of a transitioning food system in Marovo Lagoon, Solomon Islands
Associate Advisor
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Governance and Development Planning: A Case Study of Urban Low Cost Housing in Sarawak, Malaysia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Adjunct Professor Adil Khan, Associate Professor Peter Walters
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2011
Doctor Philosophy
Contesting 'ethicality': Ethical trade, gender and sustainable livelihoods for smallholder farmers in Kenya
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Geoffrey Lawrence
Media
Enquiries
Contact Professor Kristen Lyons directly for media enquiries about:
- carbon markets and human rights
- development and environment
- East Africa
- nanotechnology in food and agriculture
- privatised university
- Solomon Islands and logging
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