John Burton

Dr. John Burton is an Honorary Senior Lecturer at the Department of Pacific Affairs, The Australian National University (ANU). He holds a PhD from ANU (1985) and has extensive experience in academia, consultancy, and governance roles across Melanesia. His career includes positions as Professor & Deputy Vice President Research at Divine Word University (2015–2019), Senior Anthropologist at the Torres Strait Regional Authority (2001–2003), and Fellow in ANU's Resource Management in Asia-Pacific Program (2004–2013).

• Education: BA(Hons) Prehistory (1977), MSc Biological Computation (1979), PhD (ANU, 1985)

Research focuses on social mapping, land ownership in Melanesia, mining impacts, and Indigenous governance. Notable projects include studies on the social impacts of mining in Papua New Guinea and Torres Strait Native Title claims. Burton has authored 15 research outputs, including articles on Porgera gold mine dynamics and social mapping methodologies.

His consultancy work spans mining sustainability, development assessments, and Indigenous rights advocacy. Current affiliations include the Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining at the University of Queensland (2021–present).