Dr Nicholas Roberts ~ Adjunct Research Fellow

I am an Adjunct Research Fellow at the Cairns Institute, JCU. I have held various roles in research, teaching, training & capacity development, and  Project Management within the Department of Learning, Teaching & Student Engagement; the College of Arts, Society & Education; the College of Business, Law & Governance; and The Cairns Institute.

I hold a PhD in Social Science (Anthropology and Archaeology) and my research evaluated the application of international heritage discourses and practices in the management of cultural heritage within a large-scale extractive industry at the MMG-LXML Sepon Gold & Copper Mine, Lao PDR. 

In my pofessional role I am the Cultural Hertiage Officer and Team Lead for the Queensland Department of Transport & Main Roads, Far North District (Cairns/Cape York/Torres Strait), where I manage and coordine cultural heritage activities and provide specialist advice and support as part of the delivery of transport infrastructure projects.

I continue to engage and publish with colleagues in Australia, PNG, and Southeast Asia in research, policy developement, and methodologies for the protection and promotion of community and place-based cultural heritage management, and female particpation within in the Higher Education sector.

Experience

• 2020 to 2022 - Senior Cultural Heritage Officer, Queensland State Government (DTMR) (Cairns, Cape York, Torres Strait)
• 2019 to 2020 - Project Manager, James Cook University (Cairns & Lae, Papua New Guinea)
• 2016 to 2019 - Senior Project Officer, James Cook University (Cairns & Lae, Papua New Guinea)
• 2007 to 2019 - Consultant Anthropologist and Archaeologist, Independent (Australia & Lao PDR)
• 2015 to 2017 - PASS Program Supervisor/Language & Learning Support Officer, James Cook University (Cairns)
• 2013 to 2015 - Project Officer (Research & Community Engagement), James Cook University (Cairns & Cape York)
• 2013 - Senior Research Officer, James Cook University (Townsville)

Research Disciplines

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, language and (4501)
• Anthropology (4401)
• Environmental management (4104)

Socio-Economic Objectives

• education and training (1699)
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage and culture (2104)
• Understanding past societies (1307)

Other

• 2004 to 2006 - Jeffery Clark Prize in Anthropolgy

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

• Buhrich A, Winn N, Ferrier A, Richards J, Lacey T, Jensen W, Kapteyn M, Ray O, Roberts N and Wargent S (2023) Preliminary results of the Undara Archaeology Project. Journal of Community Archaeology and Heritage, 10 (1). pp. 67-78
• Aisoli-Orake R, Bue V, Aisi M, Ambelyne I, Betasolo M, Nuru T, Kialo D, Akanda S, Denano S, Yalambing L, Gasson S, Spencer E, Bruce C and Roberts N (2022) Creating sustainable networks to enhance women's participation in higher education in Papua New Guinea. Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management, 44 (2). pp. 208-220
• Roberts N (2020) Where the global meets the local: managing caves as heritage places within a mining and extractive industry in the Lao PDR. SPAFA Journal, 4.
• Fitts M, West C, Robertson J, Robertson K, Roberts N, Honorato B and Clough A (2015) The NHMRC Road Map 'benchmark' principles: a formal evaluation process is needed to improve their application. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 39 (4). pp. 305-308
• Roberts N (2015) The cultural and natural heritage of caves in the Lao PDR: prospects and challenges related to their use, management and conservation . Journal of Lao Studies, Special Issue 1. pp. 113-139
• Bohanna I, Bird K, Copeland J, Roberts N and Clough A (2014) A service-level action research intervention to improve identification and treatment of cannabis and related mental health issues in young Indigenous Australians: a study protocol. BMJ Open, 4 (7). pp. 1-7

Other research outputs

• Edelman A, Gelding A, Konovalov E, McComiskie R, Penny A, Roberts N, Templeman S, Trewin D, Ziembicki M, Trewin B, Cortlet R, Hemingway J, Isaac J and Turton S (2014) State of the Tropics 2014 report. James Cook University, Cairns [Report]

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.

Completed

• Understanding How Adults with Lived Experience of Schizophrenia Interpret Recovery Processes: A Qualitative Study with Thematic Synthesis. (2023, Masters , External Advisor)