Jon Barnett is a human geographer in the School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Melbourne. Jon’s research investigates social impacts and responses to environmental change. He has been conducting field-based research on social vulnerability and adaptation to environmental change in Australia, China, Timor-Leste and Pacific Island Countries for twenty-five years. Jon's research has helped explain the impacts of environmental change on cultures, food security, inequality, migration, political instability, and water security.
Jon’s research is now strongly focussed 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 well lives well into the future.
Jon co-directs the Oceania Institute at The University of Melbourne, served six years as editor of Global Environmental Change, and was Lead Author for the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report.
