
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
2011
Conference Publication
Food security: emerging challenges for Australia
Lawrence, G., Richards, C., Burch, D. and Lyons, K. (2011). Food security: emerging challenges for Australia. XXIV European Congress of Rural Sociology, Chania, Crete, 22-25 August 2011.
2010
Journal Article
Community engagement to facilitate, legitimize and accelerate the advancement of nanotechnologies in Australia
Lyons, K and Whelan, J. (2010). Community engagement to facilitate, legitimize and accelerate the advancement of nanotechnologies in Australia. NanoEthics, 4 (1), 53-66. doi: 10.1007/s11569-009-0070-2
2010
Book
Food Security, Nutrition and Sustainability
Lawrence, Geoffrey, Lyons, Kristen and Wallington, Tabatha (2010). Food Security, Nutrition and Sustainability. London, United Kingdom: Earthscan. doi: 10.4324/9781849774499
2010
Book Chapter
Introduction: Food security, nutrition and sustainability in a globalised world
Lawrence, Geoffrey, Lyons, Kristen and Wallington, Tabatha (2010). Introduction: Food security, nutrition and sustainability in a globalised world. Food security, nutrition and sustainability. (pp. 1-23) edited by Geoffrey Lawrence, Kristen Lyons and Tabatha Wallington. London, U.K. ; Sterling, VA, U.S.A.: Earthscan. doi: 10.4324/9781849774499
2009
Book Chapter
Under the regulatory radar? nanotechnologies and their impacts for rural Australia
Lyons, Kristen and Scrinis, Gyorgy (2009). Under the regulatory radar? nanotechnologies and their impacts for rural Australia. Tracking rural change : community, policy and technology in Australia, New Zealand and Europe. (pp. 151-172) edited by Francesca Merlan and David Raferty. Canberra: ANU Press.
2009
Book
Food security, nutrition and sustainability
Geoffrey Lawrence, Kristen Lyons and Tabatha Wallington eds. (2009). Food security, nutrition and sustainability. London, United Kingdom: Earthscan.
2008
Journal Article
Nanotechnology: the next challenge for organics
Paull, John and Lyons, Kristen (2008). Nanotechnology: the next challenge for organics. Journal of Organic Systems, 3 (1), 3-22.
2007
Conference Publication
Governing Organic: the Changing Industry Regimes in Australia
Neal, S., Lyons, K. and Lawrence, G. (2007). Governing Organic: the Changing Industry Regimes in Australia. XIV Conference of the Australasian Agri-food Research Network, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 25-29 November 2007.
2007
Journal Article
The emerging nano-corporate paradigm: nanotechnology and the transformation of nature, food and agri-food systems
Scrinis, Gyoegy and Lyons, Kristen (2007). The emerging nano-corporate paradigm: nanotechnology and the transformation of nature, food and agri-food systems. International Journal of Sociology of Agriculture and Food, 15 (2), 22-44.
2007
Book Chapter
Supermarkets as organic retailers and impacts for the Australian organic sector
Lyons, Kristen (2007). Supermarkets as organic retailers and impacts for the Australian organic sector. Supermarkets and agri-food supply chains: transformations in the production and consumption of foods. (pp. 154-172) edited by David Burch and Geoffrey Lawrence. Cheltenham, UK: Edgar Elgar.
2006
Book
Going organic: Mobilizing networks for environmentally responsible food production
Lockie, Stewart, Lyons, Kristen and Lawrence, Geoffrey (2006). Going organic: Mobilizing networks for environmentally responsible food production. 1 ed. Oxfordshire, United Kingdom: CAB International Publishing.
2006
Book Chapter
What do we mean by green? Consumers, agriculture and the food industry
Burch, D., Lyons, K. and Lawrence, G. (2006). What do we mean by green? Consumers, agriculture and the food industry. Rikka rokassa vai sattumia sopassa? Johdatus yhteiskuntatieteelliseen maatalous-ja elintarviketutkimukseen. (pp. 69-87) Helsinki, Finland: University of Joensuu, Karelian Institute.
2006
Journal Article
Environmental values and food choices: views from Australian organic food consumers
Lyons, Kristen (2006). Environmental values and food choices: views from Australian organic food consumers. Journal of Australian Studies, 30 (87), 155-166. doi: 10.1080/14443050609388058
2006
Conference Publication
Conventionalisation, radicalisation or both? The structural and ideological transformation of organic agriculture
Lockie, S., Lyons, K., Lawrence, G. and Halpin, D. (2006). Conventionalisation, radicalisation or both? The structural and ideological transformation of organic agriculture. XVI World Congress of Sociology, Durban, South Africa, 23-29 July 2006.
2005
Journal Article
Factors underlying support or opposition to biotechnology among Australian food consumers and implications for retailer-led food regulation
Lockie, Stewart, Lawrence, Geoffrey, Lyons, Kristen and Grice, Janet (2005). Factors underlying support or opposition to biotechnology among Australian food consumers and implications for retailer-led food regulation. Food Policy, 30 (4), 399-418. doi: 10.1016/j.foodpol.2005.06.001
2005
Journal Article
Community engagement or community action: choosing not to play the game
Whelan, James and Lyons, Kristen (2005). Community engagement or community action: choosing not to play the game. Environmental Politics, 14 (5), 596-610. doi: 10.1080/09644010500257888
2005
Conference Publication
Globalisation, Sustaining Rural Livelihoods and Organics
Lyons, K., Burch, D., Lawrence, G. and Rickson, R. (2005). Globalisation, Sustaining Rural Livelihoods and Organics. Shaping Sustainable Systems, 15th IFOAM Organic World Congress, Adelaide, 20 - 23 September, 2005.
2004
Book Chapter
Consumer views of organic and GM food
Lyons, K., Lockie, S. and Lawrence, G. A. (2004). Consumer views of organic and GM food. Recoding Nature: Critical Perspectives on Genetic Engineering. (pp. 94-107) edited by R. HIndmarsh and G. Lawrence. Sydney: UNSW Press.
2004
Journal Article
Choosing organics: A path analysis of factors underlying the selection of organic food among Australian consumers
Lockie, S., Lyons, K., Lawrence, G. A. and Grice, J. C. (2004). Choosing organics: A path analysis of factors underlying the selection of organic food among Australian consumers. Appetite, 43 (2), 135-146. doi: 10.1016/j.appet.2004.02.004
2004
Book Chapter
Organics, Biotechnology and Food: Views from Australian Consumers
Lyons, Kristen, Lockie, Stewart and Lawrence, Geoffrey (2004). Organics, Biotechnology and Food: Views from Australian Consumers. Recoding Nature: Critical Perspectives in Genetic Engineering. (pp. 87-104) Sydney, NSW Australia: University of NSW Press.
Funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Kristen Lyons is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Digital and Agricultural Innovation, and Alternative Agriculture Practices in Australia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Kiah Smith
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Doctor Philosophy
Digital and Agricultural Innovation, and Alternative Agriculture Practices in Australia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Kiah Smith
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Doctor Philosophy
Breaking the bias: delivering gender equality in conservation
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Hugh Possingham
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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
Postapocalyptic environmental practices: the narratives and political possibilities of the Dark Mountain Project
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Heloise Weber
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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: Associate Professor Heloise Weber
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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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2025
Doctor Philosophy
Digital and Agricultural Innovation, and Alternative Agriculture Practices in Australia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Kiah Smith
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2025
Doctor Philosophy
Postapocalyptic environmental practices: the narratives and political possibilities of the Dark Mountain Project
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Heloise Weber
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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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