Neil T. M. Hamilton

Neil Hamilton has expert knowledge of global change issues, sustainability, and polar environments. His work includes leading, training and managing complex teams around international social and environmental policy agendas. His research and leadership has contributed toward demonstrable improvements in international policy frameworks for sustainable natural resource management, notably in the polar regions.

After undertaking postgraduate studies (M.App.Sc and PhD) in coastal geomorphology he worked for CSIRO and later played a leading role in establishing the Institute for Sustainable Futures (University of Technology, Sydney), before creating the Cooperative Research Centre for Greenhouse Accounting. Neil's knowledge of global environmental change led to his appointment with the International Geosphere – Biosphere Programme in Washington DC and later Stockholm. He then became deputy executive director of the International Human Dimensions Programme on Global Environmental Change, in Bonn.

After returning to Australia to drive the development of new research areas at the ANU, Neil became director the organisation established by the European Union and the Australian government to promote and facilitate research collaboration, FEAST. He was also National Contact Point for Australia's participation in the EU 6th Framework Programme for Research.

Neil's was then appointed to lead WWF's work across the Arctic region. Based in Oslo he developed the strategies and led teams that implement the largest polar conservation programme in the world, from Alaska through Canada and Fennoscandia, to Russia. His work has highlighted the critical importance of the Arctic in global sustainability and he has played a catalysing role in renewing the arctic governance debate. Representing WWF, Neil became a sought after speaker and participant in high level international fora and is widely acknowledged as one of the leading experts in arctic issues.

He returned to Australia in 2011 to take up the position of Director of the Australian National Internships Programme at ANU.