Sarina Kilham

Dr Sarina Kilham

Agricultural Extension and Rural Sociology

Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences

Biography

Dr Sarina Kilham is a rural sociologist specialising in transdisciplinary research, focusing on the intersection of sustainable rural livelihoods, autonomy of peasants and the ways in which people adapt, integrate or resist government led development programs.

Dr Kilham’s academic and industry research experience has spanned sustainable access to energy and water, sustainable agricultural production, biofuels for rural development, NGO collaboration and partnerships and disability-inclusive disaster risk reduction. Dr Kilham has primarily conducted research in Timor-Leste, Indonesia and Brazil.

Prior to returning to academia, Dr Kilham worked extensively with the United Nations, Non-Government Organisations and public institutions on international development programs for more than a decade, primarily in Timor-Leste. Dr Kilham worked for the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in Timor-Leste as a policy and programs Advisor, and collaborative with National University of Timor Lorosa’e Faculty of Agriculture on her PhD Research.

Research
  • Issues of autonomy in rural livelihoods
  • Food justice initiatives in Australia.
Publications
Full publications list on CRO

Recent publications

  • Kilham, S. (Accepted/In press). Farmers, Autonomy and Biodiesel: What can we expect from Brazil’s experiment with Biodiesel for Rural Development Policy? In A. Loconto, & D. Constance (Eds.), Agrifood Transitions in the Anthropocene: Perspectives from the Sociology of Agriculture and Food SAGE Publications Sage CA: Los Angeles, CA.
  • Kilham, S. (2022). Teaching Extension in Higher Education in Australia. Paper presented at XV World Congress of Rural Sociology, Cairns, Queensland, Australia.
  • Kilham, S. (2021). Farmers, Autonomy and Biodiesel: What Can We Learn from Brazil’s Experiment with Biodiesel for Rural Development Policy?. Paper presented at IV ISA Forum of Sociology Challenges of the 21st Century: , Porto Alegre, Brazil.
  • Kilham, S. (Host). (2020). What's Sociology got to do with it?. Digital content, Apple Podcasts. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whats-sociology-got-to-do-with-it/id1530453526
  • Kilham, S. (2019). Food justice, autonomy and livelihoods. Paper presented at Agri-Food XXVI Conference, Christchurch, New Zealand.

In the media