Professor Donna Craig

26 February 2004

Charles Darwin University today announced the inaugural appointment to the University’s Chair of Desert Knowledge, located at its Alice Springs Campus.

“I am pleased to welcome Professor Donna Craig as foundation Chair of Desert Knowledge at Charles Darwin University,” said Vice Chancellor Professor Helen Garnett.

The Chair of Desert Knowledge is an integral role in the University’s Institute of Advanced Studies and will foster postgraduate research capacity and undertake leading-edge research focused on the scientific and social development needs of inland desert Australia.

“In collaboration with other desert knowledge contributors, Professor Craig will be building a strong research capacity and opportunities for local and international scholars and students to participate in developing desert knowledge of international standing,” said Professor Garnett.

Professor Craig will also be working closely with the newly established Co-operative Research Centre for Desert Knowledge and other community groups, a move welcomed by Northern Territory Chief Minister, Clare Martin.

"The appointment of Professor Craig will ensure we keep moving the Desert Knowledge project forward and deliver the benefits that it will bring," Ms Martin said.

"I congratulate Charles Darwin University on their support for social and technological research into desert communities.

"The health, well-being and ecologically sustainable development of desert communities and arid lands are essential to the Territory's development."

Professor Craig is currently Director of the Indigenous Law Program at Macquarie University. A barrister with twenty four years experience teaching environmental law, Professor Craig’s academic experience is drawn from North American and Australian institutions, completing her Master of Laws at Canada’s York University.

Professor Craig has been a Visiting Professor at the University of Arizona’s School of Law and has also undertaken numerous national and international environmental and Indigenous advisory roles. She is Co-Convener of The World Conservation Union’s Specialist Group on Indigenous Peoples and Environmental Law and Convener of the Circle of Friends, an international Indigenous Peoples Initiative on Intellectual Property Policy funded by the Rockefeller Foundation. Professor Craig will take up her Alice Springs-based appointment in May.