Top of page

Student/Staff Portal
Global Site Navigation

School of Arts and Humanities

Local Section Navigation
You are here: Main Content

Associate Professor Naomi Godden

Associate Professor

Staff Member Details
Telephone: +61 8 9780 7670
Email: n.godden@ecu.edu.au
Campus: South West  
Room: BU5.5128  
ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9881-3365

Naomi is a Vice-Chancellor's Research Fellow in the School of Arts and Humanities and (acting) Associate Director of ECU's Strategic Research Centre for People, Place and Planet.

Background

Naomi is a social worker, social justice and environmental activist, and feminist participatory action researcher from the rural community of Margaret River on Wardandi Boodja in Western Australia. She has 20 years of community development and social research experience in Australia and internationally in areas such as gender justice, climate justice, environmental activism, and homelessness and affordable housing. She has worked in in grassroots rural community organisations, local government, international development organisations such as Oxfam Australia and International Women’s Development Agency, and universities including Monash University and ECU. Her countries of work experience include Australia, Peru, United States, Honduras, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Papua New Guinea, India and Thailand. Naomi has participated in over 300 radio, print and television interviews regarding social justice and environment issues. She was previously an elected Councillor at the Shire of Augusta Margaret River (2017-2021), and she has been the Chair of Just Home Margaret River Inc since 2015.

Professional associations

  • 2017 to 2021 - Augusta Margaret River Shire Council (Elected Member)
  • 2017 to 2022 - Adjunct Research Fellow, Department of Social Work, Monash University
  • 2016 - United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Women and Gender Constituency (NGO representative)
  • 2015 to present - Just Home Margaret River Inc (Co-founder and Chairperson)
  • 2014 - United Nations Women’s Major Group (NGO representative)
  • 2014 - United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Open Working Group (NGO representative)
  • 2014 - United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, 58th Session (NGO Representative)

Awards and recognition

National and International Research Positions

  • 2024 to 2027 - Australian Research Council Discovery Early Career Research Award
  • 2017 to 2022 - Adjunct Research Fellow, Department of Social Work, Monash University
  • 2016 - Bridging Postdoctoral Fellowship, Monash University

University and National Teaching Awards

  • 2022 - Honour Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Media in 2022, ECU Media Awards
  • 2020 to 2022 - Vice-Chancellor's Research Fellowship

Other

  • 2020 - Regional Aspire Award, Business Events Perth
  • 2017 - Early Career Publication Prize, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University
  • 2017 - Stella Giles Award for Achievement in Women’s Rights, Soroptimist International WA
  • 2015 - Postgraduate Publication Award, Monash University
  • 2008 - Most Outstanding Social Work Thesis, Department of Social Work, Monash University
  • 2007 - Margaret Yandell Fieldwork Prize, Department of Social Work, Monash University

Research areas and interests

  • Feminist Participatory Action Research methodology
  • Feminist and decolonial climate justice
  • Rural social justice
  • Gender justice

School research grant

Title: Climate Justice and the WA Community Sector
Funding: $1,660 from SAH internal funds.

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, Monash University, 2015.
  • Honours Degree of Bachelor of Social Work, Monash University, 2008.
  • Bachelor of Arts, Monash University, 2008.

Research Outputs

Book Chapters

  • Poelina, A., Webb, B., Wooltoorton, S., Godden, N. (2024). Waking up the Snake: Ancient Wisdom for Regeneration. Planetary Justice: Stories and Studies of Action, Resistance and Solidarity (25-38). Bristol University Press. https://doi.org/10.2307/jj.10677905.8.

Journal Articles

  • Wrigley, K., Yallup Farrant, J., Farrant, B., Synnott, E., Barrow, J., Godden, N., O'Sullivan, L. (2024). Relational processes for transformative climate justice policymaking: insights from a Western Australian community of practice. Climate Policy, 2024(Article in press), 16 pages. https://doi.org/10.1080/14693062.2024.2385486.
  • Wijekoon, D., Godden, N., Beardman, G. (2024). Community Service Perspectives on Climate Change and Social Justice in Western Australia. Australian Social Work, 2024(Article in press), 14 pages. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1080/0312407X.2024.2329234.
  • Wrigley, K., Beardman, G., Yallup Farrant, J., Godden, N., Faulkner Hill, C., Heyink, E., Carot Collins, E., Davies , H., Robinson, S. (2024). Learning collective care to support young climate justice advocates. Environmental Education Research, 2024(Article in press), 17 pages. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1080/13504622.2024.2359457.
  • Crupi, K., Godden, N. (2024). Feminist Evaluation Using Feminist Participatory Action Research: Guiding Principles and Practices. American Journal of Evaluation, 45(1), 51-67. https://doi.org/10.1177/10982140221148433.

Reports

  • Kirican, KC., Godden, N., Naidu, K., Chakma, T., Leviston, Z., Nailevu, M., Alofa, P., Merryweather, J., Karoro, R., Hu, J., Scott, P., Wrigley, K. (2024). Pacific Girls in a Changing Climate. Melbourne and Joondalup. Plan International Australia and Edith Cowan University Centre for People, Place and Planet.

Book Chapters

  • Godden, N., Chakma, T., Jenkins, A. (2023). Ecofeminist Participatory Action Research for Planetary Health. Handbook of Social Sciences and Global Public Health (24). Springer. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-96778-9_47-1.
  • Chakma, T., Godden, N., Naidu, K., Sinumlag, A., Lay Paw, N. (2023). Feminist participatory action research (FPAR) for transnational feminism in Asia. The Routledge International Handbook of Critical Participatory Inquiry in Transnational Research Contexts (9-27). Taylor and Francis. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003207672-3.
  • Beardman, G., Godden, N., Nejati Ajibisheh, M., Yallup Farrant, J., Scoffern, L., Khan, J., Northover, J., Morrison-Saunders, A. (2023). Just Transitions From Fossil Fuels to a Regenerative and Renewable Future: Challenges and Opportunities. Achieving Net Zero: Challenges and Opportunities (177-201). Emerald Publishing Limited. https://doi.org/10.1108/s2043-052320230000020008.
  • Godden, N., Peter, S. (2023). The Love Ethic: Love and Activism for Ecosocial Justice. Contemporary Love Studies in the Arts and Humanities: What's Love Got to Do with it? (1-14). Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-26055-1_1.
  • Godden, N., Chakma, T., Naidu, K. (2023). Feminist Participatory Action Research: A methodology for ecosocial justice. Ecosocial work. Environmental practie and advocacy (129-140). NASW Press. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/ecuworks2022-2026/3318.

Journal Articles

  • Tschakert, P., Parsons, M., Atkins, E., Garcia, A., Godden, N., Gonda, N., Paiva Henrique, K., Sallu, S., Steen, K., Ziervogel, G. (2023). Methodological lessons for negotiating power, political capabilities, and resilience in research on climate change responses. World Development, 167(TBD), article number 106247. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2023.106247.
  • Somerville, W., McKenzie, V., Fuller, L., Godden, N., Harrison, A., Isaacs-Guthridge, R., Turner, B. (2023). “Kind regards”: negotiating connection to Country and place through collective storying. Australian Journal of Environmental Education, 39(3), 336-348. https://doi.org/10.1017/aee.2023.24.

Reports

  • Boodja, W., Godden, N., Beardman, G., Nejati Ajibisheh, M., Scott, E., Yallup Farrant, J., Scoffern, L., Northover, J., Khan, J., Winmar, L., Ugle, P., Mulholland, K., Parkin, J., Anderson, S., Morrison-Saunders, A. (2023). Community Report: A Just Transition for Collie that leaves no one behind: A community-led social justice analysis of Collie’s transition. Online. Climate Justice Union WA and Edith Cowan University Centre for People, Place and Planet.
  • Boodja, W., Godden, N., Beardman, G., Nejati Ajibisheh, M., Scott, E., Yallup Farrant, J., Scoffern, L., Northover, J., Khan, J., Winmar, L., Ugle, P., Mulholland, K., Parkin, J., Anderson, S., Morrison-Saunders, A. (2023). A just transition for Collie that leaves no one behind: A community-led social justice analysis of Collie’s transition. online. Climate Justice Union WA and Edith Cowan University Centre for People, Place and Planet.

Journal Articles

  • Garcia, A., Gonda, N., Atkins, E., Godden, N., Paiva Henrique, K., Parsons, M., Tschakert, P., Ziervogel, G. (2022). Power in resilience and resilience's power in climate change scholarship. WIREs Climate Change, 13(3), article number e762. https://doi.org/10.1002/wcc.762.
  • Godden, N., Wijekoon, D., Wrigley, K. (2022). Social (In)justice, climate change and climate policy in Western Australia. Environmental Sociology, 8(4), 377-387. https://doi.org/10.1080/23251042.2022.2069216.

Reports

  • Chakma, T., Godden, N., Naidu, K. (2022). Toolkit of Methods for Feminist Participatory Action Research: Empowering Women, Transforming Systems. Online. Oxfam.
  • Council, KA., Poelina, V., Godden, N., Jackson-Barrett, L., Isaacs-Guthridge, R. (2022). Empowering Aboriginal Women: Gender, Justice and Equality The story of the formation of the Kimberley Aboriginal Women’s Council. Bunbury. Edith Cowan University.
  • Godden, N., Chakma, T., Naidu, K. (2022). Feminist Participatory Action Research (FPAR) Capacity Development for Oxfam’s IP2 Final Report. Bunbury. Edith Cowan University.

Journal Articles

  • Godden, N., Farrant, B., Yallup Farrant, J., Heyink, E., Carot Collins, E., Burgemeister, B., Tabeshfar, M., Barrow, J., West, M., Kieft, J., Rothwell, M., Leviston, Z., Bailey, S., Blaise, M., Cooper, T. (2021). Climate change, activism, and supporting the mental health of children and young people: Perspectives from Western Australia. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 57(11), 1759-1764. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpc.15649.
  • Godden, N. (2021). Community work, love and the indigenous worldview of buen vivir in Peru. International Social Work, 64(3), 354-370. https://doi.org/10.1177/0020872820930254.

Journal Articles

Journal Articles

  • Godden, N. (2018). Community work research through co-operative inquiry in Timor-Leste, Australia and Peru: Insights into process. Systemic Practice and Action Research, 31(1), 55-73. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11213-017-9420-0.
  • Godden, N. (2018). ‘Love in community work in rural Timor-Leste: a co-operative inquiry for a participatory framework of practice. Community Development Journal, 53(1), 78-98. https://doi.org/10.1093/cdj/bsw022.

Reports

  • Godden, N., Gray, K. (2018). First Year Review of Augusta: Margaret River Housing Advocacy Project. Australia. Just Home Margaret River Inc.
  • Godden, N., Muli, C., Bay, U., Yocogan-Diano, V., Yuk, LL. (2018). WAVE Mid-term Reflection. Australia. International Women's Development Agency. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/ecuworkspost2013/11991.

Journal Articles

Journal Articles

  • Gartrell, A., Jennaway, MG., Manderson, L., Godden, N. (2016). Making the Invisible Visible: Disability Inclusive Development in Solomon Islands. Journal of Development Studies, 52(10), 1389-1400. https://doi.org/10.1080/00220388.2015.1121238.

Reports

  • Godden, N., Gray, K. (2016). Understanding and addressing homelessness and crisis accommodation in Augusta Margaret River. Australia. Shire of Augusta Margaret River.

Journal Articles

  • Alston, M., Whittenbury, K., Haynes, A., Godden, N. (2014). Are climate challenges reinforcing child and forced marriage and dowry as adaptation strategies in the context of Bangladesh?. Women's Studies International Forum, 47(Part A), 137-144. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wsif.2014.08.005.

Books

  • Godden, N. (2013). Participatory evaluation: A methodology. Case study from the final evaluation of the pilot to strengthen women’s literacy and training services in Yehimbole, East Sepik, Papua New Guinea. Oxfam Australia.
  • Godden, N. (2013). Final evaluation: Pilot to strengthen women’s literacy and training services in Yehimbole, East Sepik, Papua New Guinea. Oxfam Australia.

Book Chapters

  • Godden, N. (2013). Gender and declining fisheries in Peru: Beyond pescador and ama de casa’. Research, Action and Policy: Addressing the Gendered Impacts of Climate Change (251-263). Springer.

Journal Articles

  • Godden, N., Muli, C. (2013). Peer review: an emerging research method in international development. Development Bulletin, 75(August 2013), 92-97.

Research Projects

  • Inclusive community planning for a just transition to net zero emissions, Australian Research Council, Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DE24), 2024 ‑ 2028, $999,662.
  • Enhancing disaster resilience and climate justice in the Western Australian community services sector, Department of Fire and Emergency Services, Grant, 2024 ‑ 2027, $892,362.
  • Climate change and the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people, Healthway (WA Health Promotion Foundation), Health Promotion Research - Exploratory Research Grants, 2023 ‑ 2025, $74,993.
  • Climate justice toolkit , Lotterywest, Grant, 2022 ‑ 2025, $362,071.
  • Responding to Natural Disaster Risk: Evaluating Vulnerability, Awareness and Liveability (REVAL) , Department of Fire and Emergency Services, National Disaster Risk Reduction Grant, 2024 ‑ 2025, $127,000.
  • Pacific Girls in a Changing Climate, Plan International Australia, Grant, 2020 ‑ 2024, $75,256.
  • Empowering Aboriginal Women: Gender, Justice and Equality, Australian Indigenous Leadership Centre, Grant, 2021 ‑ 2023, $89,979.
  • A Just Transition for Collie that leaves no-one behind, Climate Justice Union WA, Grant, 2021 ‑ 2023, $7,906.
  • Mainstreaming gender in action for climate justice in Australia, Edith Cowan University, ECU Early Career Researcher Grant – 2020, 2020 ‑ 2022, $29,974.
  • Feminist Participatory Action Research (FPAR) Capacity Development for Oxfam’s IP2, Oxfam Australia, Grant, 2021 ‑ 2022, $20,160.

Research Student Supervision

Principal Supervisor

  • Doctor of Philosophy, Care-full climate justice organising: Movement-based participatory action research on Noongar Boodja
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Girl child participation and activism for water justice. A Feminist Participatory Action Research intervention

Co-principal Supervisor

  • Doctor of Philosophy, Just in Time: Imagining and Enabling the Climate-Just Transformation of Community Service Organisations in Wester Australia

Principal Supervisor

  • Doctor of Philosophy, Is there a place in social work education for men who use intimate partner violence? An evolving collaborative inquiry.
Skip to top of page