Paul Marshall has a science background and holds an Advanced Diploma in Land Management (with Distinction) and a Master of Environmental Science (Research). He commenced his PhD at RegNet in February 2020.

Paul’s professional career has combined a passion for conservation and sustainable natural resource management with support for social justice and land rights for Aboriginal Australians. With over 25 years’ professional experience in the Landcare, Bushcare and Catchment Management sector, managing an extensive suite of complex small- and large-scale projects, with high levels of community engagement, Paul was awarded ‘Landcare Hero’ status on Landcare Australia’s honour list. His Master’s thesis ‘Strengthening biodiversity: examining volunteer engagement in local government community nurseries’ extended upon this work.

Paul has worked closely with Aboriginal communities, organisations and senior elders for over 30 years, principally in the Kimberley region of WA. His award-winning Aboriginal oral history of the Kimberley ‘Raparapa’ remains a best seller.

Paul has extensive experience supporting the development of Aboriginal culture and conservation economies including tourism, bush food and traditional medicine development. Paul’s experience coordinating a ground-breaking traditional medicine R&D project, through a unique partnership between the Nyikina Mangala traditional owners and Griffith University, has led directly to his PhD research at ANU.

Navigating the Nagoya Protocols: Examining Australia’s developing regulatory frameworks for Traditional Owners to commercialise Aboriginal traditional medicines and bush foods