Staff Directory

Judith Morrison

Qualifications:

B.A. University of Western Australia; Grad Dip (Aboriginal & Intercultural Studies) Edith Cowan University; M.Litt (Peace Studies) University of New England; PhD Murdoch University

Research Interests:

The contribution of peace research and applied conflict resolution studies to the study of sustainability. The integration of these schools of thought is needed to highlight how different conceptual and theoretical frames of reference influence interpretations of world events and cross-sectoral and cross-cultural relationships. This is particularly significant with regard to differences between interpretations based on political realism compared with those based on more idealist approaches concerned with the impact of events and changing relationships on health, well-being and sustainability. It is critically important to consider the differences in conceptual and theoretical approaches when scholars are assigned the task of producing a purportedly 'objective' or 'independent' report about an intervention dealing with social conflict or a contentious sustainability issue.

The development and delivery of a nationally accredited course: Certificate IV in Understanding and Negotiating Sustainability Issues (code 51817). At present the majority of people have only a scant, if any, understanding of what the concept of 'triple bottom line' sustainable outcomes really means, yet it is of general concern across all industries and enterprises and other ways in which human activity is impacting on the environment. A formal qualification awarded at this level gives people some degree of authority to voice ideas about the principles and ethos of sustainability in their workplaces and in other forums, particularly people who would not necessarily qualify for, or even consider embarking on, a higher education degree. The course gives students a framework for breaking down complex sustainability issues so as to make some degree of separation between their economic, social and environmental components. It also develops a student's capacity to plan, both practically and psychologically, for engagement in cross-sectoral dialogue. The skills needed to collaborate to find 'triple bottom line' outcomes extend well beyond those required for day-to-day engagement within one particular sector or industry or within one particular cultural context. The course reflects that these days a greater degree of engagement and cooperation is required between different government agencies, business organisations, non-government organisations, interest groups and the wider community in order for us to find the means to remedy complex sustainability problems. 

Publications:

Conflict, Sustainability and the Role of the Scholar-Reporter: A Guide for Compiling or Assessing Reports on Decision-Making Processes Dealing with Social Conflict and Contentious Sustainability Issues, (2009) VDM Verlag Dr. Muller Aktiengesellschaft & Co. KG, Saarbrucken Germany.

Independent Scholarly Reporting about Conflict Interventions: Negotiating Aboriginal Native Title in South Australia, (2007) Murdoch University Digital Theses Program http://wwwlib.murdoch.edu.au/adt/browse/view/adt-MU20080904.141252.

Uniting the Voices: Independent Review of Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement Native Title Unit’s Facilitation of Decision Making by South Australian Native Title Management Committees, July - Oct 2000 (2001) Native Title Unit, Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement, Adelaide.

Mining and Sustainable Development (Ok Tedi Case Study) Institute for Sustainability and Technology Policy - Sustainable Development Case Studies http://www.istp.murdoch.edu.au/ISTP/casestudies/Case_Studies_Asia/oktedi/oktedi.html.

Negotiation Processes Between Mining Corporations and Other Interested Groups in Papua New Guinea, (1997) Australian Conservation Foundation.