CAP researcher awarded prestigious fellowship for new research on critical mineral markets in Asia

Dr Eve Warburton, an early career scholar at the ANU Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs in the ANU College of Asia and the Pacific, has been awarded a prestigious Westpac Research Fellowship to support her groundbreaking research on the political economy of critical mineral markets in Asia.

Dr Warburton, who is also Director of the ANU Indonesia Institute, brings her renowned expertise in Southeast Asian politics to the project. Her research will explore how the minerals now classified as ‘critical’ for green energy transitions, like nickel, lithium and copper, are reshaping developmental trajectories and industrial visions in the Asia-Pacific region. The project will focus initially on Indonesia, China and Australia.

The Westpac Research Fellowship provides a minimum of $400,000 in funding for up to five years. The initiative aims to invest in future academic leaders, and to advance excellence in critical research areas, from Australia’s relationships in Asia, to environmental sustainability, to energy innovation.

A central objective of Dr Warburton’s project is to understand how Australia and its neighbours can collaborate, rather than compete, to ensure the benefits of critical mineral booms are shared equitably, and to minimize the social and environmental harms often associated with extractive industries.

“The fellowship means an opportunity to rethink the way I conduct my research.

“It will allow me to spend time in mineral-producing countries in our region, getting to know the experiences and goals of stakeholders involved in these industries. My goal is to understand and explain how countries, companies and communities are adapting to new demand for green transition minerals. I also hope the fellowship will help me to grow a new network of collaborators and reach new audiences,” Dr Warburton said.

Her work is especially timely, as the demand for critical minerals is set to surge with the global shift toward low-carbon technologies and green energy solutions. Nickel and lithium are key components in battery production for electric vehicles and renewable energy storage, for example, and countries like Australia and Indonesia hope to leverage new demand and capture more value from their mineral endowments. However, the extraction and processing of these minerals also presents threats to environmental preservation and social disruption in mining regions.

“Critical minerals are vital for a greener future, but their extraction and trade come with significant risk.

“My research asks how Australia and its neighbours can collaborate to embrace a ‘critical future’ that ensures shared benefits and mitigates harm,” Dr Warburton explained.

Dr Warburton’s passion for studying Southeast Asia was sparked in 2004 following the devastating tsunami in Indonesia, where she worked with a local university to help rebuild academic institutions and run training programs for researchers. This experience taught her the importance of in-depth country knowledge and cross-cultural learning for cultivating strong relationships between Australia and its neighbours.

As Dr Warburton embarks on this exciting new chapter of her research, the Westpac Research Fellowship will not only provide her with the financial support to advance her work, but will also help her to foster international and inter-disciplinary collaborations that are essential for tackling the complex issues surrounding critical minerals and green energy transitions.

Through her pioneering research, Dr Warburton is well-positioned to make a lasting impact on how we study natural resource markets and energy sustainability in the Asia Pacific. She stands proudly among a body of leading experts and researchers in the ANU College of Asia and the Pacific.