The Cairns Institute

🌱 Building Soil Knowledge & Climate Resilience

Healthy soils are key to climate resilience. This research from TNQ Drought Resilience Hub explores innovative ways to strengthen soil health and support sustainable agriculture—helping communities adapt to changing conditions.
🔗 Learn more here https://tinyurl.com/3unhzzdv


TNQ Drought Hub
JCU: James Cook University, Australia

📚 Confident Supervisors Volume 2 is here!

Supporting HDR supervision just got easier. This new resource offers practical strategies, tools, and insights to help supervisors guide research students with confidence and clarity.
🔗 Learn more and access Volume 2: https://tinyurl.com/5n69jxwp


JCU: James Cook University, Australia

🌱 Enhanced Rock Weathering: Year 1 Outcomes
Can crushed rock help fight climate change? A/Prof Paul Nelson’s research explores how enhanced rock weathering can capture carbon and improve soil health—delivering benefits for agriculture and the environment.
📑 Read here https://tinyurl.com/4f9kj5ec

JCU: James Cook University, Australia

🌿 Celebrating 25 Years of Regional NRM in Australia!
The 9th National Natural Resource Management Knowledge Conference, held 8–12 September at the Cairns Convention Centre, marked a major milestone—25 years since Australia adopted the regional NRM model.
Under the theme “Changing Landscapes and New Horizons,” the event brought together practitioners, researchers, policymakers, and community leaders to reflect on achievements and explore pathways for the next 25 years.
Highlights included:
✅ A full day of workshops
✅ Two days of inspiring presentations
✅ Field trips showcasing local projects
✅ Poster displays fostering informal learning
Co-hosted by North Queensland Regional NRMs—Cape York NRM, Gulf Savannah NRM, Terrain NRM, NQ Dry Tropics NRM, and NRM Regions Queensland—the conference showcased innovation, resilience, and collaboration in tackling complex environmental challenges.
Here’s to shaping the future of integrated landscape management together! 🌏
🔗 Learn more: https://tinyurl.com/4ms8xey7

JCU: James Cook University, Australia

🎨 LabNorth Ignites Arts Investment in Northern Australia
LabNorth is driving creative innovation and investment in the North—connecting artists, communities, and industry to unlock new opportunities for cultural and economic growth.
📑 Read here https://tinyurl.com/4eu7ubhj

: James Cook University, Australia

⚖️ Trauma, Justice & Healing
Dr. Rafferty from The Cairns Institute shared powerful insights at the International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS) conference—exploring pathways to justice and healing for communities impacted by trauma.

📑 Read here https://tinyurl.com/msteywjy

: James Cook University, Australia

🤝 WOW & Mura Kosker Sorority Collaboration

The Cairns Institute celebrates the partnership between WOW and Mura Kosker Sorority—working together to empower women, strengthen communities, and create pathways for leadership and wellbeing in the Torres Strait.
🔗 Learn more: https://tinyurl.com/ypk59rxy

JCU: James Cook University, Australia

How does trust shape the future of the Great Barrier Reef? 🌊

The research shows trust in GBR science and management agencies remains high but is vital for supporting new climate adaptation practices. Based on interviews with 140 coastal residents and surveys of 12,600 Australians, trust strongly predicts support for innovative solutions and reveals deeper dynamics beyond the numbers. Listen to The Cairns Institute Director and Distinguished Professor Stewart Lockie's presentation at the recent Social Science Community for The Reef Symposium.

👉 Watch the full presentation: https://youtu.be/X2g5cQHULik?si=KEoC1KHY8E9NwWng

JCU: James Cook University, Australia

Is there a looming crisis of trust in science and management agencies among GBR communities?| Lockie A raft of studies over the years have found high levels of trust in science and management agencies active in the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) and strong associa...

📢 Research Directions Forum

JCU Research Division and The Cairns Institute hosted the Research Directions Forum—bringing together researchers, partners, and community voices to shape future priorities and collaborative opportunities.
This event highlights our commitment to impactful research that addresses real-world challenges in Northern Australia and beyond.
🔗 Learn more: https://tinyurl.com/bdw96s4f

: James Cook University, Australia

🎥 Earlier this year, Dr Gillian Paxton presented at the Social Science Community for the Reef Symposium held in Townsville.
See her presentation below ⬇️

🥳 It's Gillian's birthday tomorrow! Many happy returns Gillian!

JCU: James Cook University, Australia

Matters of care: Exploring accounts of assisted ecosystem adaptation in the GBR | Paxton Compelling scientific evidence regarding the precarity of the Great Barrier Reef due to anthropogenic climate change has led to an explosion of dialogue rega...

🌟 Welcome Wudarabin Snider! 🌟

Our newest Research Cadet at The Cairns Institute is a proud Kuku Yalanji Bama and Guwamu Murrdi woman, award-winning artist, and cultural leader. She’s passionate about education, language, and empowering First Nations communities through research.

📖Read more here https://tinyurl.com/3wfswrcc
JCU: James Cook University, Australia