The Cairns Institute (TCI)

James Cook University

Around half of the world’s population and 80% of the planet’s animal and plant species, live in the tropics. From economic and educational deprivation to disease, loss of culture and the impacts of climate change, the social, economic and environmental challenges facing the tropical zones of the world are immense. The Institute’s location in tropical North Queensland and close proximity to neighbouring countries in the Pacific and Southeast Asia, places it at the epicentre of economic, environmental and cultural change. In this most dynamic of regions, the Institute is committed to understanding and informing the processes of transformation that will shape communities’ and environments’ future wellbeing. Bringing together the expertise and intellectual resources of more than 20 disciplines in the humanities and social sciences, The Cairns Institute is a robust and vibrant hub of research, capacity building and public debate in the tropics, for the tropics.

Website

https://www.cairnsinstitute.jcu.edu.au

Organisation type

• University Research Institute

Number of research staff

20-100 research staff

Address

McGregor Road, Building D3, Smithfield QLD 4878

Strengths and capabilities

• Translating multidisciplinary inputs for policy and governance - Our expertise spans policy and governance analysis, economic analysis and data science
• Exercising foresight and identifying priorities - Conducting horizon scanning and engaging in stakeholder consultations
• Planning for impact - Delivering impact training and planning sessions, alongside stakeholder mapping
• Coordinating inputs - Research coordination and contract management
• Building capacity - We build research capacity through training programs for postgraduate students and provide mentorship for Early Career Researchers (ECRs)
• Communication and outreach - Fostering dialogue and managing partnerships to enhance collaboration and impact

Lead researchers

• Distinguished Professor Stewart Lockie—Director of the Cairns Institute and Fellow of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia. Distinguished Professor Lockie’s multidisciplinary work addresses global social and environmental change, and he actively participates in numerous international leadership initiatives.
• Professor Allan Dale—Chief Scientist for Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia (CRCNA). With extensive research experience in the domestic and international domains, Professor Dale explores integrated societal governance systems focusing on northern Australia and the Great Barrier Reef.
• Professor Hurriyet Babacan—Professorial Research Fellow, Rural Economies Centre of Excellence. Professor Babacan has a distinguished record in multidisciplinary research, teaching and presenting in Australia and internationally. Professor Babacan’s achievements have been recognised through numerous awards including the Order of Australia 2014 (AM).
• Professor David Phelps—Director, Tropical North Queensland Drought Resilience Innovation and Adaption Hub. Professor Phelps leads agricultural research and adoption projects across northern Australia and is the current President of the International Rangelands Continuing Committee and a member of the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists committee.

Key science sectors

More information about the sectors this centre is involved in:

• Environment and nature
• Food and agriculture
• Social sciences
• Tropical