Teresa Cochrane

Teresa Cochrane

Dunghutti Gumbaynggirr Woman , First Nations Researcher

Gulbali Institute

Biography

I am a proud Dunghutti Gumbaynggirr women with strong cultural connections to Birpai/Birripi Country and Bunjalung Country on the East Coast of Australia.

I am currently employed with Gulbali Institute as a First Nations Researcher. As part of my job requirements, I am currently studying a Doctor of Philosophy in Arts and Education within the School of Indigenous Australian Studies at Charles Sturt University on the topic of 'Koala Dreaming'. My research will investigate the ecological conservation of my personal totem the koala, through the investigation of Indigenous Methodologies and Western Methodologies to create a more holistic management practice.

I currently on sabbatical from a Master of Philosophy of Biodiversity, Conservation and Management at the University of Oxford. At Oxford I will be building my skills to further my understanding of interdisciplinary approaches to scientific research within the first year of coursework. For my second year I am completing a research project titles 'Reconciliation in Science: Analysing Australian environmental case studies that combined Indigenous and Western science and methodologies'.

Research
  • Indigenous Environmental Studies
  • Koala Conversation and Preservation
  • Caring for Country and Right-Way Science Approaches for Mob
  • Combining Indigenous and Western Research Paradigms
  • Indigenous Educational Journeys and Storytelling
Publications
Full publications list on CRO

Recent Publications

  • Cochrane, T., Walters, M., Beutel , B., & Frank, A. S. K. (2024). Cooperations between Australian First Nations peoples and Western scientists using a right-way science approach: Perspectives from Indigenous Australians belonging to different First Nations and an Australian-based academic of German descent. Paper presented at Passau Research Colloquium on Southeast Asia, Passsau, Germany.
  • Cochrane, T. (2023). Conservation through the eyes of Indigenous Australian culture. The Oxford Scientist.
  • Cochrane, T., Krebs, G. L., McManus, S., Castle, S., & Spooner, P. G. (2023). Effect of soil treatment on the growth and foliage chemistry of three Eucalyptus species grown in a plantation as a food source for koalas. Australian Journal of Zoology. https://doi.org/10.1071/ZO22046
  • Cochrane, T., Knight, A., McManus, S., & Castle, S. (2023). Koala feeding patterns at the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital, 2016-2018. Poster session presented at 3rd National Koala Conference , Port Macquarie, New South Wales, Australia.
  • Cochrane, T., Jeffries, P., & McManus, S. (2022). Action for more ethical data science in regional policy when working in Indigenous Country or with Indigenous data. 12. Abstract from Australia and New Zealand Regional Science Association International 45th Annual Conference 2022, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia.