Matthew Kearnes

Professor of Environment and Society, Convenor of the UNSW Environment and Society group, Environmental Humanities programme & Geographical Studies programme
Professor

I am the current convenor Environment and Society group, the Environmental Humanities programme and the Geographical Studies programme, based in the School of Humanities and Languages, UNSW

I completed a BSc (honours) in Human Geography at Macquarie University and a PhD at the University of Newcastle. Before arriving at UNSW I held post-doctoral positions at the Department of Geography at the Open University and the Department of Sociology at Lancaster University. I also held a Research Council’s UK Academic Fellowship at the Institute of Hazard, Risk and Resilience Department of Geography, Durham University (2007-2011).

My research is situated between the fields of Science and Technology Studies (STS), social and cultural geography and contemporary social theory. My research focuses on the social constitution of processes of technological and environmental change. In this context I have documented the constitution of vernacular understandings of, and responses to, technological, scientific and environmental change, and have explored novel means for promoting diverse forms public participation. Deploying qualitative and ethnographic methodologies, my research has explored the societal dimensions of, and public engagement with, climatic change, bio-nanotechnology, geoengineering and contemporary water treatment and supply.

I am a CI in the ARC Centre of Excellence on Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology (2014-2021), and a CI on the ARC Discovery Project Designing illicit drug policy solutions: the role of participation (DP200100909, with Prof. Alison Ritter, Dr. Kari Lancaster & Prof. Jason Chilvers). I am a CI in the ARC Training Centre for Transformation of Australia’s Biosolids Resource (2020-2025). I held an ARC Future Fellowship between 2014-2018. I am also currently a fellow of the PLuS Alliance, and a member of the leadership team of the UNSW Global Water Institute. 

I am an associate editor of Science as Culture. I am a member of the Society for Social Studies of Science (4S), the European Association for the Study of Science and Technology (EASST), the Science and Democracy Network and the Asia-Pacific Science, Technology and Society Network.

PUBLICATIONS

Book Chapters
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Chilvers J; Kearnes MB, 2016, 'Remaking participation practice: towards reflexive engagement', in Chilvers J; Kearnes MB (ed.), Remaking Participation: Science, Environment and Emergent Publics, Routledge, Abingdon, Oxon, pp. 261 - 288, http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9780203797693
2016
Chilvers J; Kearnes MB, 2016, 'Science, democracy and emergent publics', in Chilvers J; Kearnes MB (ed.), Remaking Participation: Science, Environment and Emergent Publics, Routledge, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN, pp. 1 - 27, http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9780203797693
2016
Kearnes MB, 2016, 'Knowing and not knowing climate change: pedagogy for a new dispensation', in Hall S; LeMenager S; Siperstein S (ed.), Teaching Climate Change in the Humanities, Routledge, Abingdon Oxon, pp. 37 - 45
2016
Chilvers J; Kearnes MB, 2016, 'Participation in the making: Rethinking public engagement in co-productionist terms', in Chilvers J; Kearnes MB (ed.), Remaking Participation: Science, Environment and Emergent Publics, Routledge, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN, pp. 31 - 63, http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9780203797693
2016
Kearnes M, 2016, 'Miraculous engineering and the climate emergency: Climate modification as divine economy', in Technofutures, Nature and the Sacred: Transdisciplinary Perspectives, pp. 219 - 237, http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9781315611952
2016
Chilvers J; Kearnes M, 2015, 'Participation in the making: Rethinking public engagement in co-productionist terms', in Remaking Participation: Science, Environment and Emergent Publics, pp. 31 - 63
2015
Kearnes M, 2015, 'Miraculous engineering and the climate emergency: Climate modification as divine economy', in Technofutures, Nature and the Sacred: Transdisciplinary Perspectives, Taylor & Francis, pp. 219 - 237
2015
Chilvers J; Kearnes M, 2015, 'Science, democracy and emergent publics', in Remaking Participation: Science, Environment and Emergent Publics, pp. 1 - 27
2015
Chilvers J; Kearnes M, 2015, 'Remaking participation: Towards reflexive engagement', in Remaking Participation: Science, Environment and Emergent Publics, pp. 261 - 288
2015
Kearnes M, 2012, 'Technologies of risk and responsibility: attesting to the truth of novel things', in Lane SN; Klauser FR; Kearnes MB (ed.), Critical Risk Research: Practices, Politics and Ethics, Wiley-Blackwell, Oxford, pp. 125 - 148, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/9781119962748.ch7
2012
Lane S; Klauser F; Kearnes M, 2012, 'Conclusion: Reflections on 'Critical' Risk Research', in Lane SN; Klauser FR; Kearnes MB (ed.), Critical Risk Research: Practices, Politics and Ethics, Wiley-Blackwell, Oxford, pp. 219 - 238, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/9781119962748.ch11
2012
Kearnes MB; Klauser FR; Lane SN, 2012, 'Introduction: Risk Research after Fukushima', in Critical Risk Research: Practices, Politics and Ethics, pp. 1 - 20, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/9781119962748.ch1
2012
Kearnes MB; Klauser FR; Lane SN, 2012, 'Preface', in Critical Risk Research: Practices, Politics and Ethics, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/9781119962748
2012
Kearnes M; Klauser F; Lane S, 2012, 'Risk Research after Fukushima', in Lane SN; Klauser FR; Kearnes MB (ed.), Critical Risk Research: Practices, Politics and Ethics, edn. Original, Wiley-Blackwell, Oxford, pp. 1 - 20
2012
Wienroth M; Kearnes M, 2010, 'Science policy as discourse: the governance of nanotechnology in the United Kingdom', in Feideler U; Coenen C; Davies S; Ferrari A (ed.), Understanding Nanotechnology: Philosophy, Policy and Publics, Akademische Verlagsgesellschaft, Heidelberg, pp. 101 - 120
2010
Davies S; Macnaghten P; Kearnes M, 2010, 'Narrative and public engagement: some findings from the DEEPEN project', in von Schomberg R; Davies S (ed.), Understanding Public Debate on Nanotechnologies: Options For Framing Public, European Commission, Brussels, pp. 13 - 29
2010
Degen M; Whatmore S; Hinchliffe S; Kearnes M, 2010, 'The urban green: passionate involvements with urban natures', in Miles M; Degen M (ed.), Culture & Agency, University of Plymouth Press, Plymouth, pp. 62 - 82
2010
Kearnes M; Doubleday R, 2010, 'United Kingdom', in SAGE Encyclopaedia of Nanoscience and Society, SAGE, London
2010
Davies S; Kearnes M; Macnaghten P, 2009, 'Nanotechnology and Public Engagement: A New Kind of (Social) Science?', in Kjølberg K; Wickern F (ed.), Nano meets Macro: Social Perspectives on Nanosciences and Technologies, Pan Stanford, Singapore, pp. 473 - 500, http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000289061000026&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=891bb5ab6ba270e68a
2009
Kearnes M, 2009, 'The time of science: deliberation and the ‘new governance’ of nanotechnology', in Maasen S; Kaiser M; Kurath M; Rehmann-Sutter C (ed.), Governing Future Technologies: Nanotechnology and the Rise of an Assessment Regime, edn. Sociology of the Sciences Yearbook, (Sociology of the Sciences Yearbook) Springer, Heidelberg, pp. 279 - 301, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-2834-1_15
2009
Kearnes M; Rip A, 2009, 'The emerging governance landscape of nanotechnology', in Gammel S; Lösch A; Nordmann A (ed.), Jenseits von Regulierung: Zum politischen Umgang mit der Nanotechnologie, Akademische Verlagsgesellschaft, Berlin
2009
Kearnes M, 2009, 'Nanotechnology and the constitution of the social', in Gammel S; Ferrari, A (ed.), Visions of Nanotechnology, Akademische Verlagsgesellschaft, Berlin
2009
Hinchliffe S; Kearnes M; Degen M; Whatmore S, 2008, 'Urban wild things: a cosmopolitical experiment', in Contemporary Movements in Planning Theory: 3, Ashgate, pp. 501 - 516, http://aldershot/
2008
Edited Books
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Salazar JF; Granjou C; Kearnes M; Krzywoszynska A; Tironi M, (eds.), 2020, Thinking with Soils: Material Politics and Social Theory, Bloomsbury, London
2020
Chilvers J; Kearnes MB, (ed.), 2016, Remaking Participation: Science, Environment and Emergent Publics, Routledge, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN, http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9780203797693
2016
Kearnes M; Klauser F; Lane S, (eds.), 2012, Critical Risk Research: Practices, Politics and Ethics, Wiley-Blackwell, Oxford
2012
Journal articles
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Kuch D; Kearnes M; Gulson K, 2020, 'The promise of precision: datafication in medicine, agriculture and education', Policy Studies, vol. 41, pp. 527 - 546, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01442872.2020.1724384
2020
Ey M; Mee K; Allison J; Caves S; Crosbie E; Hughes A; Curtis F; Doney R; Dunstan P; Jones R; Tyndall A; Baker T; Cameron J; Duffy M; Dufty-Jones R; Dunn K; Hodge P; Kearnes M; McGuirk P; O’Neill P; Ruming K; Sherval M; Williams M; Wright S, 2020, 'Becoming Reading Group: reflections on assembling a collegiate, caring collective', Australian Geographer, vol. 51, pp. 283 - 305, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00049182.2020.1759181
2020
Duché G; Thordarson P; Kearnes M, 2020, 'The importance of reflecting on treatment and post-treatment care when assessing the social aspects of cosmetic nanomedicine and transdermal delivery system', Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology, and Medicine, vol. 28, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.nano.2020.102214
2020
Macnaghten P; Davies SR; Kearnes M, 2019, 'Understanding Public Responses to Emerging Technologies: A Narrative Approach', Journal of Environmental Policy and Planning, vol. 21, pp. 504 - 518, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1523908X.2015.1053110
2019
Chilvers J; Kearnes M, 2019, 'Remaking Participation in Science and Democracy', Science, Technology, & Human Values, pp. 016224391985088 - 016224391985088, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0162243919850885
2019
Anderson B; Grove K; Rickards L; Kearnes M, 2019, 'Slow emergencies: Temporality and the racialized biopolitics of emergency governance', Progress in Human Geography, pp. 030913251984926 - 030913251984926, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0309132519849263
2019
Kearnes M; Kuch D; Johnston A, 2018, 'How to do things with metaphors: Engineering life as hodgepodge', Life Sciences, Society and Policy, vol. 14, http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s40504-018-0084-z
2018
Kearnes M; van Dooren T, 2017, 'Rethinking the Final Frontier: Cosmo-Logics and an Ethic of Interstellar Flourishing', GeoHumanities, vol. 3, pp. 178 - 197, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/2373566X.2017.1300448
2017
Rickards L; Neale T; Kearnes M, 2017, 'Australia's national climate: learning to adapt?', Geographical Research, vol. 55, pp. 469 - 476, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1745-5871.12240
2017
Kearnes M; Rickards L, 2016, 'Earthly graves for environmental futures: Techno-burial practices', Futures, vol. 92, pp. 48 - 58, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.futures.2016.12.003
2016
Balmer AS; Calvert J; Marris C; Molyneux-Hodgson S; Frow E; Kearnes M; Bulpin K; Schyfter P; Mackenzie A; Martin P, 2016, 'Five rules of thumb for post-ELSI interdisciplinary collaborations', Journal of Responsible Innovation, vol. 3, pp. 73 - 80, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/23299460.2016.1177867
2016
Kearnes MB, 2015, 'Growing the social life of soil', Australian Policy Online, http://dx.doi.org/10.4225/50/5668B815A9E22
2015
Chilvers J; Kearnes MB, 2015, 'Public participation in science and technology: why the failure to launch?', The Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/science/political-science/2015/dec/17/public-participation-science-technology-failure-to-launch
2015
Balmer AS; Calvert J; Marris C; Molyneux- Hodgson S; Frow E; Kearnes MB; Bulpin K; Schyfter P; Mackenzie A; Martin P, 2015, 'Taking Roles in Interdisciplinary Collaborations: Reflections on Working in Post-ELSI Spaces in the UK Synthetic Biology Community', Science & Technology Studies, vol. 28, pp. 3 - 25, http://www.sciencetechnologystudies.org/node/2573
2015
Kearnes M; Macnaghten P; Davies SR, 2014, 'Narrative, Nanotechnology and the Accomplishment of Public Responses', NanoEthics, vol. 8, pp. 241 - 250, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11569-014-0209-7
2014
Kearnes M, 2013, 'Performing synthetic worlds: Situating the bioeconomy', Science and Public Policy, vol. 40, pp. 453 - 465, http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/scipol/sct052
2013
Kearnes M, 2013, 'What is Nanotechnology and Why Does It Matter?', MINERVA, vol. 51, pp. 513 - 519, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11024-013-9241-y
2013
Meyer M; Kearnes M, 2013, 'Intermediaries between science, policy and the market', Science and Public Policy, vol. 40, pp. 423 - 429, http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/scipol/sct051
2013
Szerszynski B; Kearnes M; Macnaghten P; Owen R; Stilgoe J, 2013, 'Why solar radiation management geoengineering and democracy won’t mix', Environment and Planning A, vol. 45, pp. 2809 - 2816, http://dx.doi.org/10.1068/a45649
2013
Anderson B; Kearnes M; Anderson B; Swanton D, 2012, 'Materialism and the politics of assemblage', Dialogues in Human Geography, vol. 2, pp. 212 - 215, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/2043820612449298
2012
Anderson B; Kearnes M; McFarlane C; Swanton D, 2012, 'On assemblages and geography', Dialogues in Human Geography, vol. 2, pp. 171 - 189, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/2043820612449261
2012
Kearnes M; Wienroth M, 2011, 'Tools of the trade: UK research intermediaries in science policy practice', Minerva: A Review of Science Learning and Policy, vol. 49, pp. 153 - 174, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11024-011-9172-4
2011
Davies S; Kearnes M; Macnaghten P, 2009, 'All things weird and scary’: Nanotechnology, theology, and religious affiliations', Culture and Religion, vol. 10, pp. 201 - 220, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14755610903077570
2009
Kearnes M, 2009, 'Informationalising matter: systems understandings of the nanoscale', Spontaneous Generations : Journal for the History and Philosophy of Science, vol. 1, pp. 99 - 111, http://spontaneousgenerations.library.utoronto.ca/index.php/SpontaneousGenerations/article/view/5073
2009
Nordmann A; Kearnes M, 2008, 'Commentary on "The Center for Responsible Nanotechnology Scenario Project"', Nanotechnology Perceptions, vol. 4, pp. 65 - 71
2008
Kearnes MB, 2008, 'Spotlight on … Risk Society: Towards a New Modernity by Ulrich Beck', Geography, vol. 93, pp. 122 - 123
2008
Kearnes M, 2008, 'Risk society: Towards a new modernity by Ulrich Beck', Geography, vol. 93, pp. 122 - 123
2008
Kearnes M, 2008, 'Informationalising Matter Systems Understandings of the Nanoscale1', SPONTANEOUS GENERATIONS-JOURNAL FOR THE HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE, vol. 2, pp. 99 - 111, http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000439157900010&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=891bb5ab6ba270e68a29b250adbe88d1
2008
Kearnes M, 2008, '(Re)fazendo a matéria: projeto e seleção', Estudos de Sociologia, vol. 13, pp. 35 - 66
2008
Anderson B; Kearnes M; Doubleday R, 2007, 'Geographies of nano-technoscience', Area, vol. 39, pp. 139 - 142, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-4762.2007.00748.x
2007
Kearnes M; Wynne B, 2007, 'On Nanotechnology and Ambivalence: The Politics of Enthusiasm', NanoEthics, vol. 1, pp. 131 - 142, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11569-007-0014-7
2007
Kearnes MB, 2007, '(Re)making matter: Design and selection', Area, vol. 39, pp. 143 - 155, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-4762.2007.00744.x
2007
Kearnes M, 2007, 'Nanotechnology challenges: Implications for philosophy, ethics and society', HEALTH RISK & SOCIETY, vol. 9, pp. 229 - 230, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13698570701307136
2007
Hinchliffe SJ; Kearnes MB; Degen M; Whatmore S, 2007, 'Ecologies and economies of action - Sustainability, calculations, and other things', Environment and Planning A, vol. 39, pp. 260 - 282, http://dx.doi.org/10.1068/a38110
2007
Grove-White R; Kearnes M; Macnaghten P; Wynne B, 2006, 'Nuclear Futures: Assessing Public Attitudes to New Nuclear Power', The Political Quarterly, vol. 77, pp. 238 - 246, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-923X.2006.00766.x
2006
Kearnes M, 2006, 'Chaos and control: Nanotechnology and the politics of emergence', Paragraph, vol. 29, pp. 57 - 80, http://dx.doi.org/10.3366/prg.2006.0014
2006
Kearnes M; Grove-White R; Macnaghten P; Wilsdon J; Wynne B, 2006, 'From Bio to Nano: Learning Lessons from the UK Agricultural Biotechnology Controversy', Science as Culture, vol. 15, pp. 291 - 307, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09505430601022619
2006
Kearnes M; Macnaghten P, 2006, '(Re)Imagining Nanotechnology', Science as Culture, vol. 15, pp. 279 - 290, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09505430601022387
2006
Kearnes M, 2006, 'Chaos and Control: Nanotechnology and the Politics of Emergence', Paragraph, vol. 29, pp. 57 - 80, http://dx.doi.org/10.1353/prg.2006.0014
2006
Hinchliffe S; Kearnes MB; Degen M; Whatmore S, 2005, 'Urban wild things: A cosmopolitical experiment', Environment and Planning D: Society and Space, vol. 23, pp. 643 - 658, http://dx.doi.org/10.1068/d351t
2005
Macnaghten P; Kearnes MB; Wynne B, 2005, 'Nanotechnology, governance, and public deliberation: What role for the social sciences?', Science Communication, vol. 27, pp. 268 - 291, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1075547005281531
2005
Kearnes MB, 2003, 'Geographies that matter—the rhetorical deployment of physicality?', Social and Cultural Geography, vol. 4, pp. 139 - 152, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14649360309061
2003
Reports
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Bhathela N; Bennett Moses L; Zalnieriute M; Clarke R; Manwaring K; Bowrey K; Bell F; Kearnes M, 2019, Response to ‘Artificial Intelligence: Governance and Leadership’ White Paper Consultation by Australian Human Rights Commission, http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3352329
2019
Kearnes MB; Motion J; Beckett J, 2014, Australian Water Futures: Rethinking Community Engagement, Report of the National Demonstration, Education & Engagement Program, University of New South Wales
2014
Motion J; Kearnes MB, 2014, Water Recycling and Media: Guidelines for Communication, Report of the National Demonstration, Education & Engagement Program, Australian Water Recycling Centre of Excellence & the University of New South Wales, Australian Water Recycling Centre of Excellence
2014
Kearnes MB; Motion J, 2014, Water Recycling and the Public: Guidelines for Community Engagement, Report of the National Demonstration, Education & Engagement Program, Australian Water Recycling Centre of Excellence & the University of New South Wales, Australian Water Recycling Centre of Excellence
2014
Miller G; Kearnes M, 2013, Nanotechnology, Ubiquitous Computing and The Internet of Things: Challenges to Rights to Privacy and Data Protection, Council of Europe, Strasbourg
2013
Kearnes M; Wienroth M, 2011, A New Mandate? Research Policy in a Technological Socoety, Durham University, Durham
2011
Davies S; Kearnes M; Macnaghten P, 2009, Reconfiguring Responsibility: Lessons for Public Policy, Durham University, Durham, http://www.geography.dur.ac.uk/Projects/Portals/88/Publications/Reconfiguring%20Responsibility%20September%202009.pdf
2009
Grove-White R; Kearnes M; Macnaghten P; Wynne B, 2006, Public Perceptions and Community Issues: Nuclear Power Project, Sustainable Development Commission, London
2006
Kearnes M; Macnaghten P; Wilsdon J, 2006, Governing at the Nanoscale: People, Policies and Emerging Technologies, Demos, London
2006
Hinchliffe S; Kearnes M; Degen M; Whatmore S, 2004, Living Cities: A New Agenda for Urban Natures, Open University, Milton Keynes
2004
Subject areas
lensEnvironment & Society