Jane Palmer

Jane Palmer is an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Southern Queensland, affiliated with the Centre for Heritage and Culture and the Institute for Resilient Regions. Her work bridges the humanities, environmental studies, and Indigenous research, focusing on climate change adaptation, oral history, ethnography, and transdisciplinary methodologies.

• Education: BSc (Sydney), BA(Hons) (Queensland), BArch(Hons) (Newcastle), PhD (UTS)
• Key Collaborations: University of Southern Queensland, University of Technology Sydney, ResearchGate

Palmer’s research explores the intersection of Indigenous resurgence, environmental ethics, and futures studies. She has led projects like the Surat Aboriginal Corporation’s Indigenous Cultural Trail and developed evaluation strategies for heritage initiatives. Her work emphasizes the role of storytelling, trauma narratives, and multispecies entanglements in addressing sustainability challenges.

She has collaborated with institutions in Australia, Indonesia, and the UK, contributing to transdisciplinary frameworks for tackling wicked problems. Palmer’s recent publications examine environmental law reform, climate crisis responses, and the role of art in reimagining human-nonhuman relations.

• Scientific Awards:
  • Endeavour Fellowship (2008)
  • Australian Postgraduate Award Scholarship (2007)
  • Elizabeth Munro Scholarship (1992)

Her methodological innovations include using life stories and ethnographic practices to understand resilience, adaptation, and ethical engagement in post-disaster and climate-affected contexts. She is also a registered architect in Queensland, informing her spatial and design perspectives in housing and sustainability research.