Christopher Barton

Christopher Barton is the Assistant Director and Program Lead for Knowledge Innovation at the Center for Biodiversity Outcomes at Arizona State University. He holds the academic rank of Researcher within the School of Life Sciences and contributes to executive administration, particularly managing ASU’s initiatives in Hawaiʻi and the Pacific.

• Education: PhD in Innovation in Global Development, Master’s in Global Affairs and Management, Bachelor’s in Sustainability.

His research explores the politics of knowledge in global development and conservation, emphasizing cross-cultural collaboration, Indigenous knowledge systems, and sustainability. He focuses on regions like northern South America (Guyana) and Polynesia, addressing how simplistic solutions (panaceas) influence development policies.

Expertise areas include Business Model Innovation, Human Dimensions of Sustainability, Qualitative Methods, and Global Political Economy. He has taught courses such as Glob Entrepreneurship & Sustainable Business and Undergraduate Research at ASU.

Christopher collaborates with community partners on navigation-based education and marine conservation, bridging academic and practical approaches to sustainability challenges.