The Honourable Fleur Kingham

Associate Professor Nina Lansbury 

Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg 

Professor Hugh Possingham 

Associate Professor Nicholas Osborne 

Dr Chris McGrath

From Data to Decision: the Role of Scientific Experts in Climate Law

UQ Climate Change Research Network

Would you accept an invitation to give expert evidence in a legal case?

Abel Smith Lecture Theatre

A recent comment published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-025-02434-7#:~:text=The%20role%20of%20climate%20science,harm%2C%20causation%20and%20state%20responsibility" title="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-025-02434-7#:~:text=The%20role%20of%20climate%20science,harm%2C%20causation%20and%20state%20responsibility" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Nature Climate Change</a> observed that ‘Legal institutions are now turning to climate science to assess harm, causation and responsibility, broadening the authority to define credible knowledge beyond traditional scientific bodies’. Would you accept an invitation to give expert evidence in a legal case? Join us for a compelling public lecture exploring how scientific expertise informs legal decisions impacted by climate change. Featuring a keynote address by Fleur Kingham, President of the Queensland Law Reform Commission and Past President of Queensland’s Land Court, the event will delve into the challenges and responsibilities of expert witnesses in courtrooms and development and infrastructure approvals. A panel of experienced scientific experts will share their insights, followed by a networking lunch. The afternoon will offer a hands-on session for those interested in becoming expert witnesses, providing practical guidance on communicating science in legal contexts.

Agenda

Public lecture – 11.00-12.30 (face to face and online options available) 

Lunch Networking lunch – 12.30-1.30 

Chris is a barrister and adjunct Associate Professor at UQ. He has been heavily involved in climate litigation, including the Adani cases, and many other cases involving expert witnesses across multiple fields.  

Workshop – 1.30-3.00 (Facilitated by Dr Chris McGrath )

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