Profile

I am an environmental economist with an emerging record of research accomplishments in the study of social and economic aspects of environmental/natural resource management, focusing primarily on investigating and evaluating trade-offs and co-benefits arising from natural resource use/environmental conservation and economic development within northern Australia, involving cross-disciplinary and cross institutional collaborations.

I have developed a range of economic analysis skills that can be applied to improving knowledge and informing policy regarding natural resource use within northern Australia. The majority of my research has focused on (i) the impact of the GBR and water quality in the GBR lagoon on residents of the GBR catchment and tourists visiting the region and on the impacts of economic activity in the GBR region on the GBR/water quality; (ii) the impact of economic, social and environmental factors on life satisfaction; and (iii) the economic impact of Indigenous land management programmes.

My current role includes requires me to provide a quantitative, integrative approach to understanding the complex problems related to the development of northern Australia, identifying pathways towards the development of solutions to these problems.  This involves taking an innovative and solution-focused approach to a range of issues relevant to the development of tropical landscapes in northern Australia and more broadly. Working in multi-disciplinary teams consisting of external stakeholders and experts from JCU and CSIRO my focus is on using systems approaches to investigate environmental, social and economic trade-offs, co-benefits and synergies related to the development of natural resources.

My research interests lie in improving our understanding of the economic and social values that are derived from the environment, then using this understanding to inform policy relating to environmental conservation and natural resource management.

PostGraduate (PhD, MA) or Honours (Hons.) student enquiries

Students interested in undertaking a project relating to natural resource use or environmental conservation and sustainable development should contact me to  discuss potential projects.  Information and application forms can be obtained from the Graduate Research School.  The deadline for applications are the 31st August (international applicants) and the 31st October (domestic applicants) every year.

Ongoing Research Projects

I am currently working with colleagues at JCU, at CSIRO and with other external partners on research focused around environmental and natural resource economics within Northern Australia.  Current significant projects include:

• National Environmental Science Programme (NESP) - Northern Australia Environmental Resources Hub: Project 5.3 Multiple benefits and knowledge systems of Indigenous Land Management Programs (ILMPs) - Economic perspective – This project is led by Prof Natalie Stoeckl.  More information can be found at http://www.nespnorthern.edu.au/projects/nesp/multiple-benefits-knowledge-systems-ilmps/
• CRC for Developing Northern Australia funded project: Building traditional owner led bush products enterprises within Northern Australia.  Further information can be found at: http://www.crcna.com.au/research/current-projects/building-the-traditional-owner-led-bush-products-sector/

Recently Completed Projects

Previous significant research project on which I have participated include: 

• Northern Australia Water Resource Assessment - major CSIRO report for the Australian Government.  The project aims to identify the potential to increase water-related development opportunities in northern Australia.  Diane is involved in assessing potential social and economic impacts and risks of water resource and irrigation development.  More information can be found at: http://www.csiro.au/en/Research/Major-initiatives/Northern-Australia/Current-work/NAWRA
• Department of the Environment and Energy - Contract Research - Scoping of Options for the Mid-Term Review of the Reef 2050 Plan - 2017
• NERP Tropical Ecosystems Hub Project 10.2 Socio-economic system and reef resilience 2011 - 2014
• NERP Tropical Ecosystems Hub Project 12.3 Relative social and economic values of residents and tourists in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area 2011 – 2014
• NERP Northern Australia Hub Project Improving the efficiency of biodiversity investment 2011 - 2014
•  NESP Trop Project 2.1.3 Harnessing the science of social marketing and behaviour change for improved water quality in the GBR: an action research project 2016

Teaching

• EC5214: Case Studies in Applied Economics and Finance (Level 5; TSV)
• EV2003: Introduction to Environmental Economics (Level 2; CNS & TSV)
• EV5003: Environmental Economics (Level 5; CNS & TSV)

Interests

Research

• Environmental and natural resource economics, particularly with regard to valuing economic and social benefits derived from the environment, and how the use and management of natural resources can contribute to sustainable development, with a focus on Northern Australia.

Experience

• 2016 to present - Research Fellow, James Cook University/CSIRO (Townsville)
• 2011 to 2016 - Research Assistant, James Cook University (Cairns)

Research Disciplines

• Applied Economics (1402)
• Environmental Science and Management (0502)
• Policy and Administration (1605)

Socio-Economic Objectives

• Economic Framework (9199)
• Environmental Policy, Legislation and Standards (9607)
• Ecosystem Assessment and Management (9605)

Awards

• 2018 - Winner Early Career Researcher category, 3MT competition, for presentation on economic co-benefits arising from Indigenous Land and Sea Management Programs

These are the most recent publications associated with this author. To see a detailed profile of all publications stored at JCU, visit ResearchOnline@JCU. Hover over Altmetrics badges to see social impact.

Journal Articles

• Kubiszewski I, Zakariyya N and Jarvis D (2019) Subjective wellbeing at different spatial scales for individuals satisfied and dissatisfied with life. PeerJ, 7.
• Jarvis D, Stoeckl N, Addison J, Larson S, Hill R, Pert P and Watkin Lui F (2018) Are Indigenous land and sea management programs a pathway to Indigenous economic independence? The Rangeland Journal, 40 (4). pp. 415-429
• Jarvis D, Stoeckl N, Hill R and Pert P (2018) Indigenous land and sea management programs: can they promote regional development and help "close the (income) gap"? Australian Journal of Social Issues, 53 (3). pp. 283-303
• Larson S, Stoeckl N, Jarvis D, Addison J, Prior S and Esparon M (in press) Using measures of wellbeing for impact evaluation: proof of concept developed with an Indigenous community undertaking land management programs in northern Australia. Ambio,
• Jarvis D, Stoeckl N and Liu H (2017) New methods for valuing, and for identifying spatial variations, in cultural services: a case study of the Great Barrier Reef. Ecosystem Services, 24. pp. 58-67
• Chacón A, Stoeckl N, Jarvis D and Pressey B (2016) Using insights about key factors impacting 'quality of life' to inform effective on-farm conservation programs: a case study in Northern Australia. Australasian Journal of Environmental Management, 23 (4). pp. 338-355
• Chaiechi T, Stoeckl N, Jarvis D, Lewis S and Brodie J (2016) Assessing the impact of price changes and extreme climatic events on sediment loads in a large river catchment near the Great Barrier Reef. Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, 60 (3). pp. 386-405
• Farr M, Stoeckl N, Esparon M, Larson S and Jarvis D (2016) The importance of water clarity to tourists in the Great Barrier Reef and their willingness to pay to improve it. Tourism Economics, 22 (2). pp. 331-352
• Jarvis D, Stoeckl N and Liu H (2016) The impact of economic, social and environmental factors on trip satisfaction and the likelihood of visitors returning. Tourism Management, 52. pp. 1-18
• Tran L, Stoeckl N, Esparon M and Jarvis D (2016) If climate change means more intense and more frequent drought, what will that mean for agricultural production? A case study in Northern Australia. Australasian Journal of Environmental Management, 23 (3). pp. 281-297
• Stoeckl N, Chaiechi T, Farr M, Jarvis D, Álvarez-Romero J, Kennard M, Hermoso V and Pressey R (2015) Co-benefits and trade-offs between agriculture and conservation: a case study in Northern Australia. Biological Conservation, 191. pp. 478-494

Conference Papers

• Jarvis D (2015) Could climate change redistribute global tourism activity by impacting trip satisfaction? Proceedings of the 24th Annual Council for Australasian University Tourism and Hospitality Education Conference. In: CAUTHE 2015: 25th Annual Council for Australasian University Tourism and Hospitality Education Conference: rising tides and sea changes, 2-5 February 2015, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia

More

ResearchOnline@JCU stores 17+ research outputs authored by Dr Diane Jarvis from 2013 onwards.

Current and recent Research Funding to JCU is shown by funding source and project.

Advisory Accreditation: I can be on your Advisory Panel as a Primary or Secondary Advisor.

These Higher Degree Research projects are either current or by students who have completed their studies within the past 5 years at JCU. Linked titles show theses available within ResearchOnline@JCU.

Current

• Generating and evaluating salinity and temperature resilient microalgae for tropical outdoor cultivation in Australia (PhD , Secondary Advisor)

The map shows research collaborations by institution from the past 7 years.
Note: Map points are indicative of the countries or states that institutions are associated with.