JCU > Research Portfolio > Dr Maxine Newlands

About

Dr Maxine Newlands (BA (Hons), MA, PhD, FHEA) is a political scientist with expertise in governance, policy, political ecology, science and environmental communication and citizen science. Max is a multidisciplinary social science scholar who advises government, and works with a range of industries on world leading projects.

Queensland 2020 election media comments:

The Guardian: Environmental politics & Crime and Embellishment
Townsville Bulletin_ Poltical advertising begins early .
Weekly roundup ABC Far North Queensland and ABC North Queensland (08:30 thursday and friday)

More media interviews and political commentary (most recent) can be found at google news

Max is currently the lead/principle investigator on several Great Barrier Reef social science projects:

Queensland Department of Environment and Science - (Tender): Understanding the influence of media and community narratives on Great Barrier Reef water quality management
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority - Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority :Reef 2050 stakeholder network analysis
Journalism Education and Research Association of Australia - Research Grant: How has journalistic practice shaped public knowledge of the Great Barrier Reef: A discourse analysis of the media clippings 2007-2017

Additionally, Maxine holds several leadership roles:

Co-chair of the JCU Blue Humanities Lab
Co-lead on the Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program Regulatory program
Government advisor on Great Barrier Reef human dimensions strategy and adaptive management practices.
Australian Citizen Science Association Management board - general member
Research Associate at the University of Queensland's Centre for Policy Futures
JCU/TropWater member & ICRI Ad hoc on Reef Restoration committee member
Research Fellow at the Cairns Institute.

Recently completed (2018-2020) projects:

A United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) report ways to build capacity for Reef restoration management
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority – Review of stewardship
NESP/ TropWATER study on tourism motivation for Reef restoration.
Chief Investigator –Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program (RRAP) proof of concept phase] in Stakeholder Engagement and Regulation, for the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science (administered by Australian Institute of Marine Science)
Chief Investigator- Regulatory and Permitting Planning for RRAP Program for the Great Barrier Reef Foundation - Reef Trust Partnership (administered by University of Queensland).
Monograph Environmental Activism and the Media: the Politics of Protest (Peter Lang Academic, NY)

Maxine currently supervises six full time postgraduate candidates. If you are interested in studying for a Master or PhD with Maxine, she specialises in the following areas:

Reefs, governance, and policy with a focus on Coral Reef Restoration
Advocacy,global environmental governance and policy development
Social media analysis and policy network analysis
Political,Environmental and Science communication
Politics of gender representation in the developing world with a focus on the Pacific region.

Teaching

EV5966: Public Policy Tools - Ridge to Reef (Level 5; TSV)
PL1001: The Political World: An Introduction to Political Science (Level 1; TSV)
PL2006: Political Communication in the Global Environment (Level 2; TSV)
PL3003: Democracy and the State (Level 3; TSV)
PL4002: Theory and Method in Political Science (Level 4; CNS & TSV)
PL5006: Political Communication; Ecology and Environmentalism (Level 5; TSV)

Interests

Professional

Maxine was the Project Manager and lead investigator for the Townsville 150 Old and the News exhibition (Feb 2016 - Jan 2017) at the Museum of Tropical Queensland.

Research

Maxine is interested in social media analysis, social netwrok analysis and discourse analysis. She has conducted consultation work for the Bureau of Meteorology on best practice for social media strategies. Please contact Maxine to discuss consultation works.
Maxine's research focuses -Political Ecology -Political Communciation -Environmental journalism -environmental politics and governance - radical politics and protest movements ; and Media discourse and the Great Barrier Reef. - Gender disparity in the developing world. Maxine's methodological approaches centers on critical discourse analysis, discourse analysis, focus groups, content analysis and empirical research. Maxine's monograph 'Environmental Activism and the Media: the Politics of Protest' (Peter Lang Publishers, forthcoming)

Experience

2018 to 2022 - Research Associate, Centre for Policy Futures (University of Queensland)
2015 to 2022 - Research Fellow, Cairns Institute (Cairns, Qld.)
2016 to 2018 - Editor (Reviews), Journal of Environmental Education (Aus.)
2015 - Visiting Academic, National University of Samoa (Apia, Samoa)
2010 to 2014 - Fellow, London East Research Institue (London, UK)

Research Disciplines

Socio-Economic Objectives

Honours

Awards

2017 - 3 Minute Thesis: Early Career Researcher. JCU/ DTES Runner up
2016 - TropEco Leadership & Governance - Highly Commended for EfECC Symposium.
2014 - TROPECO - Research Award Highly Commended for outstanding research activities that contributes to a more sustainable society and environment.
2014 - Overall Winner - TROPECO Excellence award for Outstanding contribution to sustainability at JCU and in the wider community
2016 to 2017 - Scholarship- Australian Higher Education Sector Leadership Colloquium; Australian School of Applied Management.
2016 - New Colombo Plan Mobility Grant ($110,000) over two years, working with colleagues in Samoa.
2014 - Winner: Division of Tropical Environment & Societies Three Minute Thesis Competition ECR category

Fellowships

2010 - Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, UK.
2018 to 2023 - Research Associate at the University of Queensland's Centre for Policy Futures
2015 to 2018 - Visiting Fellow, Media and Journalism, National University of Samoa
2010 to 2014 - London East Research Institute (LERI)

Memberships

2018 - International Political Science Association (IPSA)
2018 - Australian Coral Reef Society
2018 - Australian Political Studies Association (APSA) and APSA Environmental Politics and Policy Standing Research Group.
2018 - Australian Citizen Science Association (ACSA)

Publications

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

Anthony K, Helmstedt K, Bay L, Fidelman P, Hussey K, Lundgren P, Mead D, McLeod I, Mumby P, Newlands M, Schaffelke B, Wilson K and Hardisty P (2020) Interventions to help coral reefs under global change – a complex decision challenge. PLoS ONE, 15 (8), Article: e0236399, DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0236399.
Fidelman P, McGrath C, Newlands M, Jago B, Dodds K and Hussey K (2019) Regulatory implications of coral reef restoration and adaptation under a changing climate. Environmental Science & Policy, 100, pp. 221-229, DOI:10.1016/j.envsci.2019.04.016.
Larri L and Newlands M (2017) Knitting Nannas and Frackman: a gender analysis of Australian anti-coal seam gas documentaries and implications for environmental adult education. Journal of Environmental Education, 48 (1), Article: 6, pp. 35-45, DOI:10.1080/00958964.2016.1249325.
Lloyd R, Newlands M and Petray T (2017) Coral Battleground? Re-examining the 'Save the Reef' campaign in 1960s Australia. Environmental Sociology, 3 (1), pp. 54-63, DOI:10.1080/23251042.2016.1259604.
M'Balla-Ndi M and Newlands M (2016) Talanoa and Habermas's Theory of Communicative Action: journalistic practices in the tropical Pacific. Etropic: electronic journal of studies in the tropics, 15 (2), pp. 68-81.
Lankester A, Bohensky E and Newlands M (2015) Media representations of risk: the reporting of dredge spoil disposal in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park at Abbot Point. Marine Policy, 60, pp. 149-161, DOI:10.1016/j.marpol.2015.06.009.
Newlands M (2013) From hyperlink to ink: media tactics and protest strategies of the UK radical environmental activism movement. Crossing Conceptual Boundaries, V, pp. 45-51.
Newlands M (2012) Green Britannia: deconstructing 'Team Green Britain' and the London 2012 Olympic Games. International Journal of Sport and Society, 1 (3), pp. 185-194.

Books

Newlands M (2018) Environmental Activism and the Media: The Politics of Protest. Peter Lang

Book Chapters

Newlands M (2020) Environmental journalism in the Asia and Pacific region. In: Routledge Handbook of Environmental Journalism. Routledge, New York, USA
Newlands M (2020) Environmental journalism in Australia and New Zealand. In: Routledge Handbook of Environmental Journalism. Routledge, New York
Newlands M (2013) Reclaiming the media: technology, tactics and subversion. In: Technology, Society and Inequality: new horizons and contested futures. Digital Formations, 87. Peter Lang Publishing, New York, USA, pp. 155-166

More: ResearchOnline@JCU stores 55+ research outputs authored by Dr Maxine Newlands from 2008 onwards.

Current Funding

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

Queensland Department of Environment and Science - Tender

Understanding the influence of media and community narratives on Great Barrier Reef water quality management

Indicative Funding: $249,546 over 3 years
Summary: News media play a key role in communicating knowledge about the Great Barrier Reef and the risks it faces (Foxwell-Norton and Lester 2017). While media influence on community responses in contested marine protected areas has been demonstrated (Voyer et al. 2013), the multiple pathways through which media can influence outcomes for the GBR are not well understood. This project will map the GBR `media landscape? ? the sources of mainstream and social media, the communication networks and the narratives, values and behaviours in water quality decision-making and practice that media both shape and reflect. Ultimately, the analysis will deliver practical outputs through collaboration with GBR water quality management end users.
Investigators: Maxine Newlands, Tracey Mahony, Rachel Hay and Erin Bohensky (College of Arts, Society & Education, College of Business, Law & Governance and Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation)
Keywords: Water Quality; Media; Governance; Social Media; Networks; behavioural

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority - Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority

Reef 2050 stakeholder network analysis

Indicative Funding: $43,476
Summary: Applying a Small World Theory (Watts,1999; Crossley, 2008) this project will generate data for analysis that will identify within the marine and GBR space, the existing highly connected yet geographical distant networks. Small World Theory data can then be used to support adaptive management practices within RIMReP and wider Reef related agencies. The project will assess the current landscape and provide an initial interface network map to show the multilayered nature of existing stakeholders.
Investigators: Maxine Newlands in collaboration with Pedro Fidelman (College of Arts, Society & Education and The University of Queensland)
Keywords: Barrier Reef; Marine Parks; Human Dimension; Monitoring; Governance; Evaluation

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority - Reef 2050 Integrated Monitoring and Reporting Program (RIMReP) - Contract Research

Great Barrier Reef stewardship classification review

Indicative Funding: $4,299
Summary: This project aims to conduct a systematic review that will led to a classification system for understanding ?stewardship? and how to evaluate outcomes of ?stewardship activities? in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
Investigators: Maxine Newlands (College of Arts and Society & Education)
Keywords: Stewardship; Management; Governance; Marine Parks; Human; Etymology

Journalism Education and Research Association of Australia - Research Grant

How has journalistic practice shaped public knowledge of the Great Barrier Reef: A discourse analysis of the media clippings 2003-2018

Indicative Funding: $6,000
Summary: The Great Barrier Reef (GBR) is a national and global icon, yet only in the past five years have journalism scholars (c.f Lester and Foxwell-Norton (2018), Lankaster, Newlands, Bohenski, (2015 & 2020); Lloyd, Newlands, Petray, (2014;) begun to study the media reporting of GBR related issues. The decline of the GBR?s health in 2016/17 from back-to-back bleaching means there is a growing sense of urgency to better understand the journalistic practices of how such events and wider issues (such as mining and port expansions) frames Australia?s cultural understanding of this endangered ecosystem. This project with the digitalising of newspapers archives will benefit current and future journalism scholars and educators, add to an emerging field, and contribute towards better public understanding of what drives our understand of the GBR especially during and after catastrophic events such as bleaching.
Investigators: Maxine Newlands (College of Arts and Society & Education)
Keywords: Journalism; Barrier Reef; Governance; Marine Parks; Central Queensland; Discourse

Great Barrier Reef Foundation - Reef Trust Partnership

Regulatory and Permitting Planning for RRAP Program

Indicative Funding: $27,000 (administered by University of Queensland)
Summary: The Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program brings together Australia?s leading experts to help preserve and restore the Great Barrier Reef. RRAP is a long-term research project to investigate the best science and technology options to help the Great Barrier Reef resist, repair and recover. This project focuses on research with RRAP scientists and regulators; in regulator and policy research space.
Investigators: Maxine Newlands (College of Arts and Society & Education)
Keywords: Barrier Reef; Restoration; Governance; Regulation; Adaptation

Department of Industry - Contract Research

Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program Design Phase

Indicative Funding: $286,500 over 2 years (administered by AIMS)
Summary: The RRAP Design Phase seeks to deliver a business case for government, industry and private investment, the primary objective of which is to develop reef restoration and adaptation technologies that can be applied at scale, within affordability and practicality limits, to retain key functional attributes of the Great Barrier Reef. This project will contribute JCU expertise to evaluating coral restoration methods, undertaking regulatory and institutional environment mapping required for restoration to occur and an analysis of the viewpoints and engagement of stakeholders in reef restoration.
Investigators: Ian McLeod, Maxine Newlands and Stewart Lockie (TropWATER, College of Arts, Society & Education and Cairns Institute)
Keywords: Great Barrier Reef; Reef Restoration

Supervision

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

When do Scientists become Advocates? The Blurred line between Science and Advocacy and the Role of Social Media (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
Researching Nannagogy: A Case Study Celebrating Women in Their Prime Crafting Eco-activism (PhD , Primary Advisor)
Detecting Bias, #fakenews and Infoganda in Digital Science Communication: Does Engagement with Scientific Misinformation Impact Environmental Policy? A Case Study of Great Barrier Reef Stakeholders (Masters , Primary Advisor)
Investigating corruption in Papua New Guinea through the patron-client structure: The citizens' perception (Masters , Primary Advisor)
Living Nature: Western Thinking and the Experience of Nature in the United States and in Australia in the 21st Century (PhD , Primary Advisor)

Data

These are the most recent metadata records associated with this researcher. To see a detailed description of all dataset records, visit the JCU Research Data Catalogue.

Newlands, M. (2017) T150 Old and the News Data on Regional Media Habits in North Queensland. James Cook University

Collaboration

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.