Dr. Malcolm S. Johnson

Geographer, Ecologist, Eel advocate

Manager Environmental Sustainability for the Huon Valley Council

Research experience in climate change perceptions, landscape values, coastal resource management, watershed ecology, and oceanographic research

Arts-science communicator on the biocultural histories of freshwater eels

Malcolm is an early career researcher with extensive experience in coastal resource management, climate change planning, and socio-ecological systems. His work centres on community-based and scientifically-informed decision-making in coastal regions.


Malcolm works for the Huon Valley Council as their Manager Environmental Sustainability, responsible for managing the natural resource management, waste education, and climate change teams. He also teaches at the University of Tasmania and is actively involved in several ongoing research and advocacy projects.

Projects and research:

  • Changing Coastalscapes

    My PhD research used PPGIS and Q-method (Q+PPGIS) to asses key landscape features, community value and risk preferences, and worldviews on both landscapes and climate risks in Southern lutruwita/Tasmania.

  • lutruwita Eel advocacy

    Over the last several years, I have collaborated with local artists, biologists, and environmental experts to develop presentations and school shows that highlight the unique aspects of lutruwita/Tasmania’s eels.

  • Past projects

    My research and professional experiences for the last decade include watershed management, coastal resource management, environmental education, and oceanographic research across several countries.

“There was a sense of urgency to communicate with the objects before our time was up. I had to let them know we are still out here, waiting for them, remembering them; that they weren’t forgotten.”

— Julie Gough, Trawlwoolway artist