John Meadows

Dr. John Meadows is a Research Fellow at the University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC), affiliated with the Tropical Forests and People Research Centre within the Forest Research Institute. He holds a PhD in small-scale forestry/social science, alongside M.Sc. and B.Sc. degrees. His research bridges forestry and social science, focusing on sustainable forest management, Indigenous livelihoods, bioenergy systems, and rural socio-ecological dynamics.

Key projects include advancing Indigenous commercial forestry opportunities, evaluating mine rehabilitation impacts, and assessing biomass energy potential in Queensland. He collaborates with organizations like The Nature Conservancy and the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative. His work emphasizes participatory approaches, policy design, and community engagement to address environmental and socio-cultural challenges.

Publications span topics like Indigenous land management, mine closure criteria, and agroforestry strategies. Meadows has authored/co-authored over 27 peer-reviewed articles and reports, including seminal works on Indigenous Protected Areas and small-holder forestry practices. His interdisciplinary research addresses global sustainability challenges while centering local community needs and ecological stewardship.