Dr Stefan Hajkowicz

Speaker Profile

With a background in geography and economics, Dr Stefan Hajkowicz is working to inform natural resource management decisions. Dr Stefan Hajkowicz is a principal research scientist who leads CSIRO's Sustainable Regional Development (SRD) research theme.

This A$13 million per annum research portfolio engages social, economic and environmental scientists to identify and help implement policy solutions for regional Australia.

In addition to this role Dr Hajkowicz maintains an active research portfolio in the fields of geography, environmental economics and decision analysis.

Dr Hajkowicz commenced his career studying a Bachelor of Arts majoring in geography at the University of Queensland, Australia. As he neared the completion of his degree he took up positions with Allgas Energy and, later, the Caboolture Shire Council working on geographic information systems.

He subsequently held lecturing positions in environmental modelling and policy at the Queensland University of Technology, Australia, and the University of Queensland whilst completing his doctorate. During this time he also provided research consultancies to the Queensland Government, Australian Aid Agency (AusAID) and the University of Missouri, USA, on environmental management issues.

After submitting his Doctorate Dr Hajkowicz started working with CSIRO as a Research Scientist in the Policy and Economic Research Unit of CSIRO Land and Water in Adelaide.

His first major project was to estimate economic returns to the natural resource base and costs of land/water degradation across the Australian continent under the National Land and Water Resources Audit. He also undertook research into the economics of salinity and environmental decision support systems.

He later transferred to CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems in Brisbane. His work began to focus on informing Australia’s investments under the Natural Heritage Trust and more recently the Caring for Our Country program.

During this time he also worked on environmental-economic issues in the Pacific region with projects in the Cook Islands and Palau funded by the International Waters Program.

In 2003 he was awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Economics from the University of New England, New South Wales, Australia.

In 2005 he took up leadership of a small research team now called the Investments and Decision Analysis research group.

In 2008 he moved on from this role to take up the position of theme leader of Sustainable Regional Development.

Dr Hajkowicz has authored over 60 scientific publications including 30 refereed journal papers, six book chapters, three books and 21 industry reports.

He has led over 30 research projects and consultancies funded by Australian Governments, international institutions and private corporations. His projects have benefited diverse natural resource sectors, including water, agriculture, energy, and mining, across all States and Territories of Australia.

He has also delivered overseas research projects on environmental economics and policy in Niue, Cook Islands, Palau, Egypt, United States of America, United Kingdom.

He was the recipient of a Land and Water Australia Travelling Fellowship in 2003 and a Science Media Fellowship awarded by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in 2001.

During 1996 to 1999 he held an Australian Postgraduate Award with an Industry Stipend.

Travels from Queensland