Senior Lecturer
Daniel Robinson
Teaching Coordinator & Senior Lecturer for the Institute of Environmental Studies - www.ies.unsw.edu.au
Dr Daniel Robinson has a background in human geography, environmental science and environmental law. Daniel has a strong interest in indigenous and traditional knowledge for conservation and cultural maintenance, and has worked closely with local communities, particularly in Thailand, to understand the customary frameworks and ‘knowledge domains’ that help protect and sustain their knowledge.
Daniel also has an interest in the environmental and social implications of multilateral, regional and bilateral trade rules, particularly for the developing world.
Daniel’s PhD was on Biodiversity-Related Traditional Knowledge in Thailand: Intellectual Property Relations and Geographies of Knowledge Regulation. From this research, he has developed a strong interest in issues related to bioprospecting and “biopiracy”, and the need to protect the intellectual contributions of farmers and local communities.
On these issues, Daniel has acted as a researcher and consultant for the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD), The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), The Pacific Forum Secretariat, and the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand.
Prior to gaining his PhD he worked in a range of positions including environmental consulting (environmental assessment and contaminated land, air and water), as a natural resources officer for Sydney Water, and as a research intern for Sutherland Council looking at housing sustainability indices.
TEACHING
IEST5002: Tools for Environmental Management
IEST5007: Environment and Development
ENVS1011: Environmental Science for Sustainability
CURRENT RESEARCH STUDENTS
Rebecca Cross
Sanjay Kalpage
Thanh Pham
Melissa Sinclair
Nahid Sultana
Peta Yoshinaga
BOOKS
Robinson, D. (Forth. 2010) Confronting Biopiracy: Cases, Challenges and International Debates. Earthscan, UK.
PEER REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS
Robinson, D. And Gibson, C. (Accepted - 2011) ‘Governing Knowledge: Discourses and Tactics of the European Union in Trade-Related Intellectual Property Negotiations’ Antipode. Vol 34.
Zhang, C. and Robinson, D., Wang, J., Liu, J., Liu, X., and Tong, L. (2011) ‘Factors Influencing Farmers’ Willingness to Participate in the Conversion of Cultivated Land to Wetland Program in Sanjiang Nature Reserve, China’ Environmental Management,47(1): 102-120.
Robinson, D. And Tobin, B. (2010) ‘Dealing with Traditional Knowledge under the ABS Protocol’ Bridges Trade BioRes Review. Nagoya Special Edition, October, 4(3): 8-10.
Robinson, D. (2010) ‘Local Agricultural and Environmental Knowledge: Working with Thai Institutes and Communities’ in Jennings J., Packham R., Woodside D. Eds. ‘Shaping Change: Natural Resource Management, Agriculture and the Role of Extension.’ Australasia-Pacific Extension Network (APEN), Australia.
Robinson, D. (2010) ‘Locating Biopiracy: Geographically and Culturally Situated Knowledges’ Environment and Planning A.
Robinson, D. (2010) ‘Sui Generis Systems for Plant Variety Protection and Traditional Knowledge in Asia.’ In Melendez-Ortiz, R. and Roffe, P. (ed) Intellectual Property and Sustainable Development: Development Agendas in a Changing World, Edward Elgar, London, ISBN 9781848446458, pp 235-270.
Kuanpoth, J. & Robinson, D. (2009) ‘Geographical Indications Protection: The Case of Thailand and Jasmine Rice’, Intellectual Property Quarterly. No 3, 2009. pp288-310.
Robinson, D. and Kuanpoth, J. (2009) ‘The Traditional Medicines Predicament: A Case Study of Thailand’, in Journal of World Intellectual Property. 11(5/6): 375-403
Robinson, D. (2008) 'Sui generis plant variety protection systems: liability rules and non-UPOV systems of protection' in Journal of Intellectual Property Law and Practice 3 (10): 659-655
Robinson, D. (2008) ‘Beyond “protection”: Promoting traditional knowledge systems in Thailand’ in Gibson, J. (ed) Patenting Lives: Life Patents, Development and Culture. Ashgate, Aldershot. pp121-138.
Robinson, D. and Edwards, D. (2009) ‘Sustainable Housing Design: Measurement, Motivation and Management in Sutherland Shire, Sydney, Australia’ Environment and Planning B. pp336-354.
Robinson, D. (2007) ‘Local Agri-cultural and Environmental Knowledge: Working with Local Institutes and Communities in Thailand’ refereed conference proceedings, Australasian-Pacific Extension Network Forum, Canberra, 15pp.
Gibson, C. and Robinson, D. ‘Creative Networks in Regional Australia’, in (2004) Media International Australia: Culture and Policy, Vol 112, pp.83-100.
PEER REVIEWED REPORTS AND DISCUSSION PAPERS
Savita Mullapudi and Robinson, D. (ed) (2009) Towards a Balanced Sui Generis Plant Variety Protection System for Developing Countries. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), New York. 50pp
Robinson, D.F. (Feb. 2007) Exploring Components and Elements of Sui Generis Systems for Plant Variety Protection and Traditional Knowledge in Asia. ICTSD-UNCTAD, Geneva. 60pp. At http://www.iprsonline.org
Robinson, D. (2007) Governance and Micro-politics of Traditional Knowledge, Biodiversity and Intellectual Property in Thailand. National Human Rights Commission of Thailand, Bangkok. 119pp. At http://www.iprsonline.org/resources/tk.htm
ONLINE BRIEFS
Robinson, D. (2010) ‘Traditional Knowledge and Biological Product Derivative Patents: Benefit-Sharing and Patent Issues Relating to Camu Camu, Kakadu Plum and Açaí Plant Extracts – a discussion paper’, United Nations University Traditional Knowledge Inititative (UNU-TKI).
Robinson, D. (Oct. 2009) ‘Biopiracy Concerns Heat Up over Chilli Pepper’ Bridges Trade BioRes Review.
ICTSD (Robinson, D. Primary Author) Doha Round Briefing October 2005: Intellectual Property Rights. ICTSD, Geneva.
ICTSD (Robinson, D. Primary Author) Doha Round Briefing October 2005: Trade and Technology Transfer. ICTSD, Geneva
MEDIA AND RADIO
'The Kakadu plum controversy', 14 Dec 2010. ABC Radio National Interview on The Law Report.
'Patent Fights Erupt over Kakadu Plum', 4 Dec 2010, Sydney Morning Herald article.
‘International Patent on Kimberley Plant Extract’, 20 May 2010 (Thursday). Midday interview (12:05) ‘Mornings with Vanessa Mills’, ABC Radio Kimberley.
‘Kakadu Plum Patent’, 17 May 2010 (Monday ). Morning interview with ABC Radio National ‘Bush Telegraph’, 11am
Staff Profile
Daniel Robinson
Contact Details
| Room: | 132 Vallentine Annexe |
| Phone: | +61 2 9385 9809 |
| Email: | d.robinson@unsw.edu.au |
| Web: | www.ies.unsw.edu.au |
