Dr Marcus Barber, Senior Research Scientist
See Marcus’ full research profile here.
What are your research interests as they relate to northern Australia?
My research interests in northern Australia relate to the ways in which Australia’s First Peoples are crucial to Australian landscapes, seascapes and our country’s future. This includes work on natural and cultural resource rights, Indigenous Knowledge, sustainable on-country economic and enterprise development, and understanding the benefits of on-country employment and residence. Indigenous Australians have owned and occupied the country for an immensely long time and they are going to be a huge part of our combined future. Having the chance to work alongside Traditional Owners to build that future is a really exciting and interesting thing to be involved in – it’s a privilege.
What do you love about working in northern Australia?
I like a whole lot of things about doing research in northern Australia. We are lucky to have the element of scale – I truly feel like I have the privilege of living in and connecting with an entire continent, rather than a city, region, or even a state. That distance and scale creates challenges, but it is also quite special – there are not many of us and we are responsible for a lot of the planet. Also, to work in the country of my birth and the country that I am committed to helping manage and be a part of is important. I love being on, in, near and around water. So the rivers of northern Australia, the coastlines of northern Australia where there is water present all the time in areas that otherwise are extremely dry landscape are the places I’m most excited to be around.
Current project
Completed project
