Dr Kerryn Brent

https://people.csiro.au/b/k/kerryn-brent

Biography

Dr Kerryn Brent is a research scientist based at Waite Campus, South Australia. Kerryn's research focuses on the governance of emerging climate intervention technologies. These are proposals to address climate change by drawing carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere or by reflecting a percentage of sunlight away from the Earth. While these technologies may have an important role to play in limiting rising global temperatures, they present significant risks and governance challenges. Kerryn’s background is in law, and she combines this expertise with interdisciplinary approaches to understand how to promote responsible research and implementation of climate intervention technologies.

Kerryn is currently working as part of CSIRO's CarbonLock Future Science Platform. CarbonLock is developing carbon dioxide removal technologies to help Australia meet its 2050 net-zero emissions target. Kerryn is part of a team of social scientists examining responsible transition pathways for these technologies.

Kerryn holds a PhD in Law from the University of Tasmania, and BA/LLB from the University of Newcastle. Prior to joining CSIRO, Kerryn was a Senior Lecturer in Law at the University of Adelaide, researching and teaching in climate change law, environmental law and law of the sea. She has worked on projects examining the governance of marine carbon dioxide removal, solar radiation management, blue carbon and green hydrogen.

Academic Qualifications

2017

Doctor of Philosophy (Law)
University of Tasmania
2011

Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice
College of Law
2010

Bachelor of Laws Honours Class 1
University of Newcastle
2009

Bachelor of Arts
University of Newcastle

Current Roles

Research Scientist
Researching responsible pathways for the development and deployment of novel carbon dioxide removal technologies

Fields of Research

Current

Grants

2021-2024

Australian Research Council Discovery Grant, Governing solar radiation management research, development and deployment DP210102296, J McDonald, J McGee, K Brent $246,805
2023-2024

Green Adelaide (SA Department of Environment & Water) Blue Carbon Futures Grant, Navigating the legal regime for blue carbon projects in South Australia, K Brent, A Jones, A Wawryk, P McCormack, $46,833
2019-2019

Department of Environment & Energy, Negative emissions technologies: survey and outlook study, P. Boyd, M. Ellwood, J. Yu, M. Howden, T. Senden, S. Eggins, E.J. Rohling, J. Borevits, J. McGee, J. McDonald, A. McIntosh, K Brent, P. McCormack, I. Qureshi, S. Mazouz, C. O’Neill, B. Colvin, H. Adams, M. Clark, $80,000
2018-2018

Centre for International Governance Innovation (Canada), Developing International Governance of Marine-Based Geoengineering, W. Burns, J. McGee, K Brent, $26,118

Professional Experiences

2020-2024

Senior Lecturer in Law
University of Adelaide
2017-2020

Lecturer in Law
University of Tasmania

Community and Corporate Citizenship

2019-2022

Co-Chair Australia and New Zealand Society of International Law Oceans and International Environmental Law Interest Group
2018-2024

Co-Deputy Director Australian Forum for Climate Intervention Governance