The Climate Systems Hub’s Indigenous Partnerships team ensures First Nations’ knowledge, priorities and perspectives are embedded across all hub activities. The team:
- leads and advises on Indigenous policy, engagement and governance
- supports Indigenous-led and co-designed research
- builds capacity and mentors researchers and communities
- facilitates networks, gatherings and cross-hub collaboration.
Their work is underpinned by our Indigenous Partnerships Strategy, which guides how we collaborate and support Indigenous-led priorities. The Indigenous Partnerships team also supports the National First Peoples Platform on Climate Change in their activities and initiatives.
Indigenous Partnerships team members
Damian Morgan-Bulled, Team Lead
Damian Morgan-Bulled is a proud Yorta Yorta man living on country at Echuca-Moama on the Victoria-New South Wales border. Damian has worked within the cultural heritage and natural resource management field for more than 25 years, including stints with the Murray-Darling Basin Authority based in Canberra and the Department of Sustainability and Environment, Victoria. He is currently employed by CSIRO as the Senior Indigenous Facilitator, NESP Climate Systems Hub. Damian facilitates Indigenous engagement across the hub, ensuring cultural protocols, safety and leadership are respected throughout all research activities.
Mandy Hopkins
Mandy supports inclusive co-design processes and helps embed Indigenous perspectives through knowledge brokering and strong relationships with First Nations people.
Simon Marsland
Simon leads the scientific contribution for one of Project 5.10’s case studies, helping ensure the hub’s research aligns with and supports Indigenous priorities and co-designed approaches.
Jade Gould
Jade Gould is a Butchulla and Woppaburra scientist and Indigenous Research Fellow. She’s currently working on her PhD while contributing to the hub’s Indigenous Partnerships Team. Her work focuses on supporting research that responds to the priorities of First Nations partners while strengthening collaboration between Indigenous communities, research organisations and government bodies. She has experience developing and implementing research approaches that centre Indigenous knowledge, partnerships and culturally appropriate engagement.
Indigenous Partnerships Strategy
The National Environmental Science Program (NESP) is an investment in applied environmental science to support decision-makers from across the Australian community, including Indigenous communities, to achieve positive environmental, social and economic outcomes. NESP recognises and values the experiences, perspectives and cultures of Indigenous Australians. The program supports Indigenous aspirations to maintain, protect and manage culture, language, land and sea Country, and heritage.
The Climate Systems Hub works with Indigenous experts and Traditional Owner groups to help achieve improved on-ground outcomes for the environment. This involves a better understanding of caring for land and sea Country through the embedding of Indigenous knowledge systems into the protection of biodiversity and threatened species.