Kirsten Martinus

Kirsten Martinus is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geography at the University of Western Australia's School of Social Sciences. As Director of the Future Regions Lab, she specializes in economic geography, focusing on resource distribution, urban competitiveness, and socio-economic inequality. Her work bridges qualitative and quantitative methods to analyze global, regional, and local economic dynamics.

Education: PhD (Curtin University), Bachelor of Economics (University of Western Australia), Diploma in Japanese-English Interpreting.

Research Interests: Resource economies (mining, energy), innovation systems in peripheral regions, urban planning, and socio-economic factors influencing regional development. She employs network analysis and comparative studies to explore global-local linkages and policy impacts.

Awards:

• Top cited article in Growth and Change (2023)
• School of Social Sciences Mid-Career Research Award (2023)
• Federal Government Award for Best Integration of Technology (2019)

Grants & Projects:

• DECRA Fellowship (2017–2020) on innovation in peripheral regions
• Battery Industry Hubs Research (2021–2023)
• RailSmart Wanneroo Smart Cities Program (2018–2021)

She leads the Future Regions Lab and collaborates internationally, contributing to policy through reports on agritourism, smart cities, and critical minerals strategies.