Rosina Bierbaum, the STAP Chair, is delighted to announce that Dr. Jon Barnett has been appointed the new STAP Panel Member for Climate Change Adaptation, effective June 1. 2024.
Dr. Barnett, an Australian national, is a human geographer in the School of Geography, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Melbourne. He also co-directs the Oceania Institute at The University of Melbourne, served six years as editor of Global Environmental Change, and was the Lead Author of the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report.
Jon’s research, spanning over two decades, has significantly contributed to our understanding of social impacts and responses to environmental change. His field-based studies in Australia, China, Timor-Leste, and Pacific Island countries have shed light on the effects of environmental change on cultures, food security, inequality, migration, political stability, and water security.
His work is now strongly focused on enabling responses to environmental change that promote social justice and peace. This includes through his leadership of the Australian Research Council-funded Future Islands project, which seeks to transform knowledge about climate change adaptation on atoll islands so that people can lead dignified and meaningful lives well into the future.
Dr. Rosina Bierbaum said, “Jon's breath of theoretical and field-based research, especially in Pacific Island countries, will be a significant addition to the STAP and will bring the island’s perspective to STAP's role in advising the GEF Partnership.
Dr. Barnett has a Bachelor of Planning and Design from the University of Melbourne, a Master of Arts in Geography from the same university, and a PhD in Environmental Studies from the Australian National University.
