
Overview
Background
OVERVIEW
Dr. Louise Gallagher is a Senior Fellow at the Global Centre for Mineral Security within the Sustainable Minerals Institute at the University of Queensland. She co-leads the Responsible Sand and Silicates Initiative with Professor Daniel Franks and Daniel Holm. This new initiative will be formally launched in 2025 and is building on a partnership with OECD, IKEA, and Roca Group to ensure the responsible sourcing of sand and silicates. This multistakeholder coalition aims to define and implement responsible sourcing practices in critical supply chains, creating opportunities for sustainability transformations in global production and consumption systems.
BACKGROUND
The common thread throughout Louise's career is the drive to link sustainability theory, transdisciplinary research, action and innovation for impact.
Louise originally trained as a human geographer and ecological economist, with a PhD in environmental science and policy. She has designed and facilitated programmes for systems change at the intersection of societal development, ecosystems, and sustainability challenges over the last 15 years with organisations like the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), WWF, and various academic institutions.
Her knowledge and experience span various fields, including sustainability science, natural capital valuation, circular and green economies, chemicals and waste management, environmental policy, local energy transitions, inclusive land use planning, the water-energy-food-climate nexus, and minerals resource governance. During her time at UNEP, she actively contributed to significant initiatives such as advocating for fisheries subsidies reform at the WTO, integrating waste and circular economy considerations into the Green Economy Report (2008), mainstreaming the sound management of chemicals in development planning, and contributing to the inaugural Global Chemicals Outlook (2011). At WWF, Louise pioneered the organisation's inaugural green economy programme in the Greater Mekong region, driving biodiversity conservation and sustainable development efforts across Southeast Asia's vital transboundary landscapes. From 2014 to 2017, she led science-policy-practice innovation to enhance biodiversity and ecosystem services analysis and conservation action. Louise's research and teaching at the University of Geneva centred on sustainability innovation processes for fostering inclusive, deliberative policy-making and collective action in the water-energy-food nexus, local energy transitions, and the global governance of sand resources.
She is the lead author of the UNEP (2019) report on Sand and Sustainability: Finding new solutions for environmental governance. She co-authored the UNEP (2022) Sand and Sustainability: 10 Strategic Recommendations to Avert a Crisis. Louise also led the governance research and action for UNEP/GRID-Geneva’s Global Sand Observatory Initiative until 2021. She was a lead contributor to The University of Queensland and the University of Geneva’s collaboration on Ore Sand: a potential new solution to the mine tailings and global sand sustainability crises.
Louise joined the Global Centre for Mineral Security at the University of Queensland's Sustainable Minerals Institute in 2022, driven by her commitment to deeper engagement with the private sector and other non-governmental partners on issues related to sand and sustainability. In addition to her action research, Louise serves as an advisor and evaluator to organisations committed to systems change and transformation impact. Recent partners include the IKEA Foundation, Gilbane Building Company, Mastercard Foundation, the International Institute for Environment and Development, the Packard Foundation, and WWF-Netherlands.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Louise’s research interests lie in understanding why and how successful collective action contributes to institutional innovation that enables sustainability transformations to emerge. Her current focus is advancing multistakeholder cooperation to innovate on sustainability standards and responsible sourcing practices that can address pressing issues related to sand and silicates supply chain impacts and opportunities.
See her profiles on Google Scholar and ResearchGate for more information.
Skills
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Strategy & action planning
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Partnership brokering & facilitating multi-stakeholder processes
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Co-design, co-creation process design and facilitation
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Complex project management
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Community engagement
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Systems-informed project/programme design and evaluation
Preferred methods
- Nonmarket valuation
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Sustainability risk and impact analysis and assessment
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Participatory sensemaking, impact evaluation and scenario planning
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Stakeholder identification and analysis
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Survey design and administration
Knowledge domain expertise
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Social and environmental risks and impacts in sand and silicate supply chains
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Global environmental sustainability and governance
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The Environment-Development nexus
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Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services analysis, Conservation social science
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Sustainability indicators
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Science-Policy-Practice innovation
Languages
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English
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French
Availability
- Dr Louise Gallagher is:
- Available for supervision
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours) of Interdisciplinary Studies, University College Dublin National University of Ireland
- Masters (Research) of Public Policy Analysis, University College Dublin National University of Ireland
- Doctoral (Research) of Environmental Studies, University College Dublin National University of Ireland
Research interests
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Development minerals
My current research at the Sustainable Minerals Institute focuses on sand and sustainability, and responsible sourcing of sand and silicates.
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Sustainability transformations
My main research interest is the catalysis and implementation of sustainability transformations, including shaping governance of environmental public goods.
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Transdisciplinary research design and evaluation
I favour transdisciplinary research with mixed methods approaches and have developed a research strand over the years on science-policy-practice linkage design / theory of systemic change and action, strategies for effective collaboration in action research and evaluation of transdisciplinary research effectiveness and impact.
Research impacts
Louise's research at The University of Queensland's Sustainable Minerals Institute is framing what sourcing standards and practices for sand and silicate minerals may be needed in future in voluntary private action and public policy. Her work enhances the understanding of risks and responsibilities associated with sand and silicate sourcing, while also fostering new avenues for constructive engagement between the scientific, business and policy communities.
Works
Search Professor Louise Gallagher’s works on UQ eSpace
2025
Journal Article
Nose to tail mining: A circular solution for sand supply and tailings reduction at scale
Franks, Daniel M., Segura-Salazar, Juliana, Gallagher, Louise, Ekubatsion, Lulit Habte, Bioantika, Golev, Artem, Stringer, Martin, Rogers, Paul, Soto-Diaz, Juan, Ardhanari, Madhumitha, Antonio, Christian and Staines, Leigh (2025). Nose to tail mining: A circular solution for sand supply and tailings reduction at scale. One Earth, 8 (2) 101198, 1-5. doi: 10.1016/j.oneear.2025.101198
2022
Other Outputs
Sand and sustainability: 10 strategic recommendations to avert a crisis.
Vander Velpen, Arnaud , Smeets, Astrid , Torres, Aurora , Matheson, Alexander Bruce, Friot, Damien, Franks, Daniel M. , Cuperus, Geert , Yusuf, Halinishi , van der Vegt, Helena, Selby, Ian , Reimer Lynggaard, Josefine , Dawson, Kate , Pereira, Kiran , Gallagher, Louise , Goichot, Marc , Russell, Mark , Hemon, Nataša , Chuah, Stephanie, Wagenaar, Sybren , Peduzzi, Pascal , Van Lancker, Vera and Guigoz, Yaniss (2022). Sand and sustainability: 10 strategic recommendations to avert a crisis. . Geneva, Switzerland: GRID-Geneva, United Nations Environment Programme.
2022
Other Outputs
Ore-sand: A potential new solution to the mine tailings and global sand sustainability crises: Final report
Golev, Artem, Gallagher, Louise, Vander Velpen, Arnaud, Lynggaard, Josefine R., Friot, Damien, Stringer, Martin, Chuah, Stephanie, Arbelaez-Ruiz, Diana, Mazzinghy, Douglas, Moura, Luanna, Peduzzi, Pascal and Franks, Daniel, M. (2022). Ore-sand: A potential new solution to the mine tailings and global sand sustainability crises: Final report. Brisbane, Australia; Geneva, Switzerland: The University of Queensland; The University of Geneva. doi: 10.14264/503a3fd
2021
Book Chapter
The danger of the single story
Ofir, Zenda and Gallagher, Louise (2021). The danger of the single story. Ethics for evaluation. (pp. 188-210) edited by Rob D. van den Berg, Penny Hawkins and Nicoletta Stame. New York: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9781003247234-12
2021
Journal Article
The rights of nature: an emerging transformation opportunity for evaluation
Gallagher, Louise and Ofir, Zenda (2021). The rights of nature: an emerging transformation opportunity for evaluation. Canadian Journal of Program Evaluation, 36 (2), 141-161. doi: 10.3138/cjpe.71575
2021
Journal Article
Examining linkages among livelihood strategies, ecosystem services, and social well-being to improve national park management
He, Siyuan, Gallagher, Louise and Min, Qingwen (2021). Examining linkages among livelihood strategies, ecosystem services, and social well-being to improve national park management. Land, 10 (8) 823, 1-20. doi: 10.3390/land10080823
2021
Other Outputs
Alternative sand from mineral ores: a potential new solution to the global sand sustainability crisis. Interim Report
Gallagher, Louise , Golev, Artem, Vander Velpen, Arnaud, Stringer, Martin, Friot, Damien, Reimer Lynggaard, Josefine, Peduzzi, Pascal and Franks, Daniel (2021). Alternative sand from mineral ores: a potential new solution to the global sand sustainability crisis. Interim Report. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: The University of Queensland and The University of Geneva.
2021
Journal Article
Scientists' warning on extreme wildfire risks to water supply
Robinne, Francois-Nicolas, Hallema, Dennis W., Bladon, Kevin D., Flannigan, Mike D., Boisrame, Gabrielle, Brethaut, Christian M., Doerr, Stefan H., Di Baldassarre, Giuliano, Gallagher, Louise A., Hohner, Amanda K., Khan, Stuart J., Kinoshita, Alicia M., Mordecai, Rua, Nunes, Joao Pedro, Nyman, Petter, Santin, Cristina, Sheridan, Gary, Stoof, Cathelijne R., Thompson, Matthew P., Waddington, James M. and Wei, Yu (2021). Scientists' warning on extreme wildfire risks to water supply. Hydrological Processes, 35 (5) e14086, 1-11. doi: 10.1002/hyp.14086
2021
Journal Article
Integrating ecosystem services into policymaking - a case study on the use of boundary organizations
Honeck, Erica, Gallagher, Louise, von Arx, Bertrand, Lehmann, Anthony, Wyler, Nicolas, Villarrubia, Olga, Guinaudeau, Benjamin and Schlaepfer, Martin A. (2021). Integrating ecosystem services into policymaking - a case study on the use of boundary organizations. Ecosystem Services, 49 101286, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoser.2021.101286
2020
Journal Article
Supporting stakeholders to anticipate and respond to risks in a Mekong River water-energy-food nexus
Gallagher, Louise, Kopainsky, Birgit, Bassi, Andrea M., Betancourt, Andrea, Buth, Chanmeta, Chan, Puthearath, Costanzo, Simon, Freeman, Sarah St George, Horm, Chandet, Khim, Sandab, Neang, Malyne, Rin, Naroeun, Sereyrotha, Ken, Sok, Kimchhin, Sovann, Chansopheaktra, Thieme, Michele, Watkins, Karina, Wyborn, Carina A. and Brethaut, Christian (2020). Supporting stakeholders to anticipate and respond to risks in a Mekong River water-energy-food nexus. Ecology and Society, 25 (4), 1-31. doi: 10.5751/es-11919-250429
2020
Book Chapter
Understanding, analysing and addressing conflicts in co-production
Scolobig, Anna and Gallagher, Louise (2020). Understanding, analysing and addressing conflicts in co-production. The Palgrave handbook of co-production of public services and outcomes. (pp. 613-636) Cham, Switzerland: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-53705-0_32
2019
Journal Article
Participatory modeling updates expectations for individuals and groups, catalyzing behavior change and collective action in water‐energy‐food nexus governance
Kimmich, C., Gallagher, L., Kopainsky, B., Dubois, M., Sovann, C., Buth, C. and Bréthaut, C. (2019). Participatory modeling updates expectations for individuals and groups, catalyzing behavior change and collective action in water‐energy‐food nexus governance. Earth's Future, 7 (12), 1337-1352. doi: 10.1029/2019ef001311
2019
Journal Article
Towards more effective landscape governance for sustainability: the case of RIMBA corridor, Central Sumatra, Indonesia
Sulistyawan, Barano Siswa, Feger, Clement, McKenzie, Emily, Gallagher, Louise A., Verweij, Pita A. and Verburg, Rene (2019). Towards more effective landscape governance for sustainability: the case of RIMBA corridor, Central Sumatra, Indonesia. Sustainability Science, 14 (6), 1485-1502. doi: 10.1007/s11625-019-00662-3
2019
Book Chapter
Integrated economic and spatial planning for the food-energy-water nexus
Bassi, Andrea and Gallagher, Louise (2019). Integrated economic and spatial planning for the food-energy-water nexus. Sustainable infrastructure: breakthroughs in research and practice. (pp. 458-476) Hershey, PA United States: IGI Global. doi: 10.4018/978-1-7998-0948-7.ch020
2019
Journal Article
Four priorities for new links between conservation science and accounting research
Feger, Clement, Mermet, Laurent, Vira, Bhaskar, Addison, Prue F. E., Barker, Richard, Birkin, Frank, Burns, John, Cooper, Stuart, Couvet, Denis, Cuckston, Thomas, Daily, Gretchen C., Dey, Colin, Gallagher, Louise, Hails, Rosemary, Jollands, Stephen, Mace, Georgina, Mckenzie, Emily, Milne, Markus, Quattrone, Paolo, Rambaud, Alexandre, Russell, Shona, Santamaria, Marta and Sutherland, William J. (2019). Four priorities for new links between conservation science and accounting research. Conservation Biology, 33 (4), 972-975. doi: 10.1111/cobi.13254
2019
Journal Article
How methods for navigating uncertainty connect science and policy at the water-energy-food nexus
Yung, Laurie, Louder, Elena, Gallagher, Louise A., Jones, Kristal and Wyborn, Carina (2019). How methods for navigating uncertainty connect science and policy at the water-energy-food nexus. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 7. doi: 10.3389/fenvs.2019.00037
2019
Journal Article
A novel tool for measuring the penetration of the ecosystem service concept into public policy
Robinne, Francois-Nicolas, Gallagher, Louise, Brethaut, Christian and Schlaepfer, Martin A. (2019). A novel tool for measuring the penetration of the ecosystem service concept into public policy. Ecosystem Services, 36 100914, 1-6. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoser.2019.100914
2019
Journal Article
Power dynamics and integration in the water-energy-food nexus: Learning lessons for transdisciplinary research in Cambodia
Brethaut, Christian, Gallagher, Louise, Dalton, James and Allouche, Jeremy (2019). Power dynamics and integration in the water-energy-food nexus: Learning lessons for transdisciplinary research in Cambodia. Environmental Science and Policy, 94, 153-162. doi: 10.1016/j.envsci.2019.01.010
2019
Journal Article
Can nature deliver on the sustainable development goals? Comment
Fisher, Brendan, Herrera, Diego, Adams, Diane, Fox, Helen E., Gallagher, Louise, Gerkey, Drew, Gill, David, Golden, Christopher D., Hole, David, Johnson, Kiersten, Mulligan, Mark, Myers, Samuel S., Naidoo, Robin, Pfaff, Alexander, Rasolofoson, Ranaivo, Selig, Elizabeth R., Tickner, David, Treuer, Timothy and Ricketts, Taylor (2019). Can nature deliver on the sustainable development goals? Comment. The Lancet Planetary Health, 3 (3), E112-E113. doi: 10.1016/S2542-5196(18)30281-X
2019
Other Outputs
Sand and Sustainability: Finding New Solutions for Environmental Governance of Global Sand Resources
Louise Gallagher and Pascal Peduzzi (2019). Sand and Sustainability: Finding New Solutions for Environmental Governance of Global Sand Resources. Geneva: United Nations Environment Programme.
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Louise Gallagher is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Ore-sand: A circular and sustainable solution for a low-carbon future
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Daniel Franks, Dr Juliana Segura-Salazar
Media
Enquiries
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