Professor Donna Craig

• Biography
• Areas of Research / Teaching Expertise
• Grants / Current Projects
• Selected Publications
• Optional
• Contact Details

Biography

Donna Craig is a specialist in international, comparative and national environmental law and policy (LLM, York University,1983). She was one of the founders of Macquarie University Centre for Environmental Law (1983) and a key member of the Centre until her current appointment as a Professor of Environmental Law, School of Law, at the University of Western Sydney. Donna also held a Research Chair as Professor of Desert Knowledge, Charles Darwin University. She has over 30 years experience in research, legal practice, teaching and working with communities, NGO’s, indigenous peoples’ organisations, governments and corporations. Her research and publications emphasize the social, cultural and human rights dimensions of legislation, programs, impact assessment and sustainable development. Her water law research includes resource management, capacity building and Indigenous cultural value issues. She also works with Aboriginal organisations developing natural resource based livelihoods and advising on national and international legal regimes. Donna served as Regional Vice-Chair for Oceania of the World Conservation Union, Commission of Environmental Law, for eight years, is a member of the Northern Territory Environmental Protection Authority (2007-2010), a member of Advisory Board of Greenland-based International Training Centre of Indigenous Peoples, and Regional Governor of the International Council on Environmental Law.

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Areas of Research / Teaching Expertise

International, national and comparative environmental law, Indigenous rights

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Grants / Current Projects

•Chief Investigator, Land and Water Grant (2006-2007) on An Agreement-based Approach to Customary Law Governance in Water Resource Management
•Co-Researcher on Land and Water Grant and Desert Knowledge CRC Grant (2004-2007) on Recognition of Indigenous Rights and Cultural Knowledge in the Management of Inland Waters.
•Principal Investigator (with Prof. S. Garnett, Prof. Bruce Campbell and Dr. Peter Whitehead) in ARC Linkage grant (2006-2009) on Analysis of legislation and policies affecting the development of Indigenous wildlife-based enterprises.
•Chief Investigator, Christensen Fund Grant (2005-2007) on Indigenous Governance of Natural Resources within Melanesia: A Project to Develop Legal Capacity-Building, Strengthening Community-Based Institutions, Customary Laws And Environmental Management Approaches.
•Principal Investigator with Dr. Jocelyn Davies, Northern Territory Innovation Grant (with additional funding from CDU, CSIRO and Desert Knowledge CRC) of (2004-2007) for Research Capacity Building in Central Australia for Effective Institutions for Sustainable Indigenous Economic Development.
•Short listed on 2 Commonwealth Environmental Research Facility Program grants
•Member of Research team successfully awarded funding for four projects by the Desert Knowledge Co-operative Research Centre in 2004

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Selected Publications

Books

Nettheim,G, Meyers,G and Craig,D Indigenous Peoples and Governance Structures: A Comparative Analysis of Land and Resource Management Rights, Aboriginal Studies Press, Canberra, 2002

Craig,D, Robinson,N and Koh,KL (eds), Capacity Building for Environmental Law in the Asian and Pacific Region ; Approaches and Resources (Two Volumes), Asian development Bank, Manilla,2002.

Chapters in Books

Craig, D and Jeffery, M, "The Recognition and Enforcement of Indigenous Customary Law in Environmental Regimes and Natural Resources Management", Proceedings of the 4th IUCN Academy of Environmental Law Colloquium Series, Chapter, Edward Elgar (New York), forthcoming, 2009.

Craig,D (with Jeffery,M), “Legal Regimes and Non-lawyers: Community Based Management, Mediation, Capacity Building and Awareness Raising in Dealing with Environmental Legal Regimes” in The Future of Environmental Law and its Role in Development; Eds. Dr. David Leary and Dr. Balakrishna Pisupati, United Nations University Press, Tokyo, forthcoming 2009.

Craig, D, “Implementing Sustainable Development in the Arctic: What Principles Should Guide Environmental Governance in Traditional Areas of Indigenous Peoples Facing the Impacts of Climate Change”, publication in the inaugural issue of the Yearbook of Polar Law; Martinus Nijhoff , (Netherlands), 2009.

D Craig, “Indigenous Property Rights to Water: Environmental Flows, Cultural Values and Tradeable Property Rights” in Adapting Rules for Sustainable Resource Use, Earthscan, London, 2007, pp153-172.

Craig,D and Jeffery, “Global Environmental Governance and the United Nations in the 21st Century” in Mukherjee,D., Environmental Governance: Concepts, Relevance and Lessons, ICFAE Books, Hyderabad, India, 2008, pp14-43.

Richardson, B and Craig, D "Indigenous Peoples, Law and the Environment", Chapter 7 in Environmental Law for Sustainablility, Hart Publishing, Oxford, 2006, pp 195-226

Craig, D, “Biological Resources, Intellectual Property Rights and International Human Rights: Impacts on Indigenous and Local Communities,” Chapter in Intellectual Property and Biological Resources: Perspectives on Contemporary Issues, Marshall Cavendish International Academic Publishing, Singapore, 2004.

Craig, D, (with Jeffery.M) "Wildlife Management in Australia: Different Perspectives on Indigenous Participation", Revista de Direito Ambiental Ano 9, n. 35, julho-setembro de 2004, Instituto "O Direito por um Planeta Verde at pp. 217 - 237.

Craig,D.,“Globalising Indigenous Rights”, Chapter in Globalisation and Australian Law, Federation Press, Sydney, forthcoming 2003.

Craig,D,"Aboriginal Joint Management of Australian National Parks: Ulura-Kata Tjuta" with Ros Sultan and Helen Ross, Chapter in Indigenous Peoples and Strategies for Sustainability: Case Studies, IUCN, Gland, Switzerland, 1997.

Craig,D and Ponce-Nava,D, “Indigenous Peoples Rights and Environmental Law” in Sun Lin and Kurukulasuriya, L (eds), UNEP’s New Way Forward: Environmental Law and Sustainable Development, UNEP, Nairobi, Kenya, 1995.

Craig,D, "Environmental Law - Corporate Responsibilities and Commercial Transactions", Chapter in Environmental Outlook - Law and Policy, Federation Press, Sydney 1994.

Craig,D, "Conserving Biodiversity: The Legal and Institutional Issues" and "Implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity: Indigenous Peoples Issues", two Chapters in Implementing Biodiversity Conservation in the Asia Pacific Region, Asia Development Bank, Manilla, Philippines, 1995.

Craig,D, "Implications of Indigenous Rights and Customary Laws on the Development of Environmental Law for Sustainable Development" Chapter in Environmental Law and Sustainable Development (with Ponce-Nava,D), United Nations Environment Program, Nairobi, 1995.

Craig, D,"Aboriginal Interests and Perspectives", Chapter in Resolution of Conflict in Australian Water Management, Australian National University, Canberra, 1991.

Craig, D, "Environmental Law and Aboriginal Rights, Legal Framework for Aboriginal Joint Management of Australian National Parks", Chapter in Aboriginal Involvement in Parks and Protected Areas, Birchhead et al (editors), Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, Canberra, 1992

Craig,D, "Social and Cultural Dimensions of Human Rights and Environment", Chapter in Human Rights and Environmental Protection - The Vital Link, Environmental Defenders Office, Sydney, 1992.

Published Monographs and Published Reports

Craig,D, Rea, N, Hancock,D., Gipey, C., An Agreement-Based Approach to Customary Law Governance in Water Resource Management, Land and Water Australia, Canberra, Forthcoming, 2009.

Craig,D, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Involvement in Bioregional Planning: Requirements and Opportunities under International and National Law and Policy, Biodiversity Series, Paper No 10, Biodiversity Group, Department of Environment, Sport and Territories, Canberra, December, 1996.

Craig, D, The Development of Social Impact Assessment on Australia and Overseas and the Role of Indigenous Peoples, East Kimberley Working Paper No. 31, Canberra, CRES, Australian National University, 1989.

Articles

Craig, D “Ethical Relationships for Biodiversity Research and Benefit Sharing with Indigenous Peoples” MqJICEL (2005) Vol.2:30-74

Craig, D.G, “Recognising Indigenous Rights Through Co-Management Regimes: Canadian and Australian Experiences” New Zealand Journal of Environmental Law Vol 6, 2002: 199-255.

Craig,D, “Native Title and Environmental Planning; Indigenous Land Use Agreements"; Environmental and Planning Law Journal Vol 17, No 5, 2000:440-452.

Craig,D anf Jull,P, “Reflections on Regional Agreements: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow” (with Peter Jull), Indigenous Law Reporter, Vol 2, No. 4, 1997: 475-495.

Craig,D, Boer,B and Richardson,B, "Indigenous Peoples and Environmental Management: A Review of Canadian Regional Agreements and their Potential Application to Australia: Part I" (Co-author with Ben Boer and Benjamin Richardson) (1994) Vol II No 4 Environmental and Planning Law Journal 320-343

Craig,D, Boer,B and Richardson,B, "Indigenous Peoples and Environmental Management: A Review of Canadian Regional Agreements and their Potential Application to Australia: Part 2" (Co-author with Ben Boer and Benjamin Richardson) (1994) Vol II No 5 Environmental and Planning Law Journal 357-382.

"Audits and the Law in Australia", Significant Speeches, Winter, 1993.

"Social Impact Assessment: Politically Oriented Approaches and Applications" (1990) Vol 10 Nos 1-2 Environmental Impact Assessment Review 29-58.

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Optional

Professional Experience and Past Positions

Professorial Fellow, Associate Director, Centre for Environmental Law, Director CEL Indigenous Rights Program, Macquarie University, Centre for Environmental Law, Macquarie University, Sydney

Foundation Research Chair, Professor of Desert Knowledge, Charles Darwin University, Australia

Inaugural Visiting Professor, James E Rogers School of Law, Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy LL.M. Program, University of Arizona

Head of Australian Environmental and Planning Law Practice, Baker & McKenzie (1991-1993)

Admitted as a Barrister for 14 years (1977-1991). Admitted and practiced as a Solicitor (1991-1997)

Partner, Craig & Ehrlich Solicitors (specialist environmental law firm) 1993-1996

National and international consultant in Environmental policy, planning and Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy (1984- ongoing)

Affiliations

Convener of Circle of Friends: Call of the Earth Circle: An International Indigenous Peoples Initiative on Intellectual Property Policy, substantially funded by the Rockerfeller Foundation

Member of Advisory Board of International Training Centre of Indigenous Peoples (ITCIP), substantially funded by the Ford Foundation

Regional Governor, International Council on Environmental Law (ICEL) (1994-2002, 2007- 2010), Vice-Chair (Oceana) of the Commission on Environmental Law of the World Conservation Union (IUCN) for the maximum two terms (1994-2001)

Foundation Convener and Co-Convener with an indigenous lawyer) of IUCN CEL Specialist Group on Indigenous Peoples and Environmental Law (2000-2004)

Foundation Member of Governing Board of the IUCN Academy of Environmental Law (2006-2007)

Foundation Member of the Interim Board of the Northern Territory Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and recommended structure and role of permanent EPA (2006-2007)

Member of the Northern Territory EPA (3 year appointment commencing 2008)

Member of Editorial Board of the Australian Indigenous Law Reporter

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