Michele Barnes

Michele Barnes is an Associate Professor and Principal Research Fellow at James Cook University, specializing in environmental social science with a focus on social networks and climate adaptation. She leads the Barnes Lab: Social Dynamics and the Environment, investigating social-ecological systems and their resilience to global change. Her work integrates sociology, complex systems science, and interdisciplinary collaboration to address sustainability challenges.

Education: PhD in Natural Resources & Environmental Management (University of Hawaii, 2015), Ocean Policy Graduate Certificate (University of Hawaii), B.A. Political Science (University of Hawaii).

Research Themes:

• Adaptation, transformation, and resilience in coupled human-natural systems
• Social networks and environmental outcomes
• Social-ecological linkages and feedbacks

Awards:

• Paul Bourke Award (2021)
• QLD Tall Poppy (2020)
• ARC DECRA Fellowship (2019-2022)
• NSF Postdoctoral Fellowship (2015-2018)

Key Projects:

• SEA-LINK: Social-Ecological Adaptation and Linkages
• Great Sandy Marine Park Re-Zoning Plan advisory role
• National Strategy for Just Adaptation (Future Earth Australia)