Rate My Professor Pamela Bourke

Pamela Bourke is a Senior Lecturer at the Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining (CSRM) within the Sustainable Minerals Institute at the University of Queensland. She holds a Bachelor of Social Work, a Postgraduate Diploma, and a Masters (Coursework) in Social Welfare Administration and Planning, all obtained from the University of Queensland. Bourke's professional trajectory includes prior affiliations with the School of Social Work and Human Services at UQ, where she developed expertise applicable to her current focus on the social dimensions of the mining industry. Her work emphasizes community engagement, participatory processes, and sustainable practices in resource extraction contexts.

Bourke's research specializations encompass the social aspects of mineral exploration, mine closure planning, community relations, and social responsibility in the minerals sector. She examines participatory approaches to mine closure, local community readiness for closure, and strategies for post-mining futures. Notable projects include 'Understanding local readiness for closure: Initiating a multi-stakeholder participatory approach' funded by CRC TiME Limited (2021-2022) and 'Embedded Program Evaluation: Natural Resource Governance Global Signature Program' funded by BHP Foundation (2019-2024). She also facilitates University of Queensland short courses such as 'Community Relations at Exploration' and 'Dialogue for Community Engagement'. Key publications feature the book chapter 'The social dimensions of mineral exploration' (2025, Society of Economic Geologists), journal article 'The social dimensions of mineral exploration' in SEG Discovery (2020), 'Rosebery’s post-mining future: Perspectives from the visioning workshop' (2024), 'Initiating a multi-stakeholder participatory approach to mine closure planning: The Rosebery case study' (2022, CRC TiME), 'GEMCO mine closure readiness: Internal workshop outcomes' (2022, CSRM), 'Understanding local readiness for closure – initiating a multi-stakeholder participatory approach' (2021, CRC TiME), 'Training for transformation' (2011), and 'The role of community relations practitioners as change agents in the minerals industry' (2011). Her contributions advance understanding and practices in mining social responsibility.