Colin Filer, BA, PhD (Cantab)
RMAP Convenor, RMAP

Email: colin.filer [at] anu.edu.au

Biographical statement

Colin has a PhD in Social Anthropology from the University of Cambridge. Between 1975 and 1994 he taught anthropology and sociology at the Universities of Glasgow (1975-82) and Papua New Guinea (1983-94). From 1991 to 1994 he also managed the UPNG business arm, Unisearch PNG. From 1995 to 2000, he was head of the Social and Environmental Studies Division at the PNG National Research Institute. Since 2001 he has been Convenor of the RMAP Program.

Research Interests

The social context, organisation and impact of policies, programs and projects in the mining, petroleum, forestry and conservation sectors, with particular reference to Papua New Guinea and other parts of Melanesia.

Key Publications

• (with B. Imbun) A Short History of Mineral Development Policies in Papua New Guinea, 1972-2002. In R.J. May (ed.) Policy Making and Implementation: Studies from Papua New Guinea Canberra: ANU E Press, pp. 75-116, 2009.
• (ed.) The Political Economy of Forest Management in Papua New Guinea, Boroko: National Research Institute (Monograph 32), London: International Institute for Environment and Development, 1997.
• (with N. Sekhran) Loggers, Donors and Resource Owners, London: International Institute for Environment and Development in association with the National Research Institute (Policy That Works for Forests and People, Papua New Guinea Country Study), 1998.
• (with N.K. Dubash and K. Kalit) The Thin Green Line: World Bank Leverage and Forest Policy Reform in Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby: National Research Institute (Monograph 37). Canberra: Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, 2000.

Career Highlights

Member of PNG National Forestry and Conservation Action Program Steering Committee (1990–92); member of PNG National Economic and Fiscal Commission (1998–99); member of Mining, Minerals and Sustainable Development Project Assurance Group (2001–02); member of Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Sub-Global Working Group (2002–04); member of WWF Australia’s Scientific Advisory Committee (2002–07).