Dr Chloe Lucas is a communication specialist whose research explores the social dimensions of climate change. As a documentary producer, an environmental communications consultant, and now as an academic, Chloe’s career has focused on ways to improve communication about climate and sustainability across all sections of society. Her research explores the values and experiences underlying different social responses to climate change, and identifies pathways to more empathetic and inclusive climate conversations. Her recent work focusses on how communication and cultural context drives social adaptation to extreme weather events including bushfires.

Biography

Chloe grew up in London, where she worked as a researcher and producer of science and environment documentaries for the BBC and other broadcasters. Her film credits include Talking Landscapes, and Better by Design. She moved to Australia in 2002, working as a divemaster on the Great Barrier Reef, before taking a Masters in Natural Resource Management at James Cook University. She has worked as a science and environment communicator for the Reef Co-operative Research Centre, the National Oceans Office, as well as other research centres, universities and NGOs. Chloe’s PhD, which investigated cultures of unconcern and polarisation about climate change, was awarded the 2019 Climate Outreach Climate Communications Research Award.

Career summary

Qualifications

Memberships

Professional practice

Member of the Fire Centre Research Hub

Member of the Centre for Marine Socioecology

Member of the Institute of Australian Geographers

Member of the International Environmental Communication Association

Teaching

Teaching expertise

Chloe designed and coordinated a new postgraduate unit, KGA703 Professional Research Methods, in 2020. She has lectured across a number of units in Geography since 2014, including Environmental Management (KGA223), Making Sense of Climate Change (KGA319), Qualitative Research Methods (KGA520), and Global Geographies, Sustainable Worlds (KGA171).

In 2020, Chloe also co-ordinated Curious Climate Tasmania – Schools Edition, which involves teaching incursions into primary and secondary schools to answer students’ questions about climate change.

Teaching responsibility

Chloe is Unit Coordinator and Lecturer for KGA703 Professional Research Methods. This is a Masters level unit that gives students the skills and knowledge to undertake independent and team research in environmental management, planning, protected area governance, spatial sciences and beyond.

KGA703 Professional Research Methods

Research Appointments

Research Fellow – Enabling Cultures of Bushfire Readiness in Australian Communities, ARC Special Research Initiative for Australian Society, History and Culture 2021-24

Research Fellow - The Social and Biophysical Effects of Alternative Strategies to Reduce Bushfire Danger in Hobart, Natural Disaster Risk Reduction Grants Program 2021

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Geographies of House and Contents Underinsurance, ARC Discovery Project 2018-20

Chief Investigator – Bushfire preparedness and risk reduction in Hobart pilot project, funded by Environment, Resources and Sustainability Theme 2018-19

Chief Investigator – After the Flood pilot project, funded by Environment, Resources and Sustainability Theme and College of Science and Engineering Research Enhancement Program 2018

Research Assistant – Antarctic Cities and the Global Commons: Rethinking the Gateways, ARC Linkage Project 2018-20