Dr. James Butler

I lead the Cawthron Institute's Transdisciplinary Science Group, based in Nelson, Aotearoa New Zealand. I have a background in development studies, agricultural economics, terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecology gained over 30 years in Africa, Europe, Australia and the Asia-Pacific. I use trans-disciplinary and participatory action research to plan and implement sustainable, equitable and climate resilient livelihoods and food systems within the emerging Blue Economy. I am interested in complex adaptive systems, resilience and transformation, and how to apply these concepts in multi-stakeholder processes to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. I enjoy integrating the knowledge of communities, scientists and policy-makers to generate capacity for innovation and change.