Linking academic research with societal partners to advance knowledge, data and decision-making on the diverse relationships between people and nature
The People-Nature Relations Initiative is working to build understanding, capacity and relationships amongst academic and non-academic communities to reflect on and improve how we view relationships between people and nature for environmental management, nature conservation and to enhance human wellbeing.
We are based at the Centre for the Public Awareness of Science at the Australian National University. This initiative is funded by the ANU Futures Scheme.
Dr Jasper Montana conducts research on nature conservation and biodiversity loss as contemporary societal challenges. Jasper’s research interests encompass science-policy relations, the theory and practice of interdisciplinarity, bridging local and global science, as well as the role of concepts, metrics and technologies used to support environmental governance. https://cpas.anu.edu.au/people/dr-jasper-montana-0
Dr Rachael Gross is a geographer and reformed ecologist. Working at the intersection of decolonial pedagogy, landscape science and community development, Rachael works with and for communities on integrating cultural values into environmental management as well as developing a global Indigenous-led framework to decolonise protected areas. https://cpas.anu.edu.au/people/rachael-gross
We bring expertise in social theory and research methods, GIS, community development, co-production and participatory processes.
Explore our current and previous projects.
The People-Nature Relations Initiative 