Claire Brennan

Claire Brennan is a historian at James Cook University specializing in environmental history, colonial studies, and historical geography with a focus on Australia and the Pacific. Her research examines topics such as Captain Cook monuments, crocodile management, flood history, and digital humanities applications in historical research. She has contributed over 50 scholarly works including journal articles, book chapters, and public-facing articles in outlets like The Conversation.

Education and Professional Background: While specific qualifications aren't listed, her extensive publications and role as the sole academic expert on Australian crocodile hunting history suggest advanced academic credentials in history. She collaborates with institutions like the BBC and ABC, demonstrating engagement with public scholarship.

Research Focus: Her work bridges environmental history with cultural studies, exploring themes like colonial legacies, human-environmental interactions, and the more-than-human past. Notable projects include analyzing decommissioned Captain Cook statues in Aotearoa and Australia (2025) and mapping historic ocean voyages through named places (2024).

Public Engagement: Active in disseminating research through media interviews (e.g., BBC Radio 2018) and interdisciplinary forums, emphasizing policy relevance for contemporary issues like crocodile management and flood resilience.