Jennifer Macdonald

Jennifer Macdonald is a CDU-CSIRO Research Fellow at Charles Darwin University's Northern Institute within the Faculty of Arts and Society. Her work focuses on culturally appropriate digital innovation for biocultural decision-making in collaboration with Indigenous rangers in northern Australia. She holds a PhD in Human Geography and Science and Technology Studies (STS), and is a core member of TopEndSTS, a collective advancing multiplicity in knowledge practices.

• PhD from Charles Darwin University (2019)
• Background in Human Geography and STS

Her research interests center on co-designing digital tools for Indigenous-led conservation, data justice in environmental management, and Indigenous knowledge integration with emerging technologies. Key projects include the Healthy Country AI Program and Koala Monitoring initiatives.

Recent articles explore drone protocols in Kakadu National Park, data governance in collaborative conservation, and Indigenous evaluation frameworks. Her work contributes to UN SDGs related to sustainable ecosystems and inclusive innovation.

• Awarded STS Making and Doing Award (2020)

She leads projects involving 40+ collaborators across government and Indigenous communities, emphasizing participatory methodologies. Current work includes developing AI-driven tools for culturally responsive conservation decision-making.

Labs/Teams: TopEndSTS collective, Northern Institute research group, CSIRO partnership programs.