Staff profile

Dr Leah Talbot was supported by CSIRO to undertake her PhD, in the area of investigating conservation and Indigenous governance, knowledge, rights and interests in Protected Areas, in Australia and in Sweden. Leah has experience in conservation and environmental management, high level Indigenous negotiations and developing collaborative Indigenous research methodologies, participative planning with Indigenous communities. She also has experience in International forums particularly in environment policy, community engagement and Indigenous involvement. Her employment history incorporates extensive time working with Indigenous community organisations in the areas of native title, cultural heritage, protection of significant cultural sites, oral and community history, and natural and cultural resource management. Generally, her interests have always included social justice issues, Indigenous peoples rights and responsibilities, environmental issues, protection of cultural and natural resources, and finding ways and methods to develop a better future for our planet and people. Leah is also a Board Director with the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. Leah also has a Masters of Science (with the thesis topic Indigenous Land Management Techniques Thesis) and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences. Leah has spent time living in Costa Rica, and has travelled extensively throughout South America and other parts of the world. Leah is also an Aboriginal descendant of the Kuku Yalanji People, Indigenous people from Far North Queensland, Australia.