Principal Consultant
Niamh Donohoe
Environmental evaluation specialist bringing comprehensive academic knowledge, critical thinking skills, and extensive data collection and analysis expertise to complex research and evaluation projects across environmental and natural resource management.
Professional background
Niamh brings extensive academic knowledge of the environment, critical thinking skills, an eye for detail and comprehensive data collection and analysis expertise to her role at First Person Consulting. Having worked on various risk management, community engagement and social research projects, Niamh has developed a thorough understanding of natural resource management issues, frameworks and practices.
Academic Foundation and Expertise
With a Master of Environment from the University of Melbourne, Niamh possesses deep knowledge in environmental geography, sustainability, and natural resource management. Her academic background provides a solid foundation for understanding complex environmental systems and the intricate relationships between human activities and environmental outcomes.
Research and Evaluation Focus
Niamh specialises in designing and implementing comprehensive research and evaluation methodologies. She excels at developing data collection strategies, conducting thorough analyses, and translating complex findings into actionable insights for diverse stakeholders. Her work consistently demonstrates attention to detail and methodological rigour.
Community Engagement and Stakeholder Collaboration
Throughout her career, Niamh has demonstrated expertise in engaging with diverse communities and stakeholders across environmental and social research projects. She understands the importance of collaborative approaches and ensures that community perspectives are meaningfully incorporated into research and evaluation processes.
Practical Application
Niamh's approach combines academic rigour with practical application, ensuring that research outcomes are not only methodologically sound but also useful for informing policy and practice improvements. Her work contributes to evidence-based decision-making in environmental management and community development contexts.
Areas of expertise
Niamh's expertise encompasses environmental research, evaluation methodologies, and stakeholder engagement, with a particular focus on natural resource management and community-centred approaches to environmental challenges.
Research and Evaluation Methodologies
- Mixed-Methods Research: Expertise in combining quantitative and qualitative approaches to address complex environmental and social questions
- Data Collection and Analysis: Advanced skills in developing data collection strategies, implementing surveys, and conducting statistical and thematic analyses
- Evaluation Framework Development: Experience in designing comprehensive evaluation plans and monitoring frameworks for environmental programs
- Evidence Synthesis: Ability to integrate diverse data sources and synthesise findings into coherent, actionable recommendations
Environmental and Natural Resource Management
- Environmental Geography: Deep understanding of spatial relationships and environmental processes that inform land use and resource management decisions
- Sustainability Assessment: Capability to evaluate environmental sustainability across different scales and contexts
- Climate Change Analysis: Knowledge of climate impacts, adaptation strategies, and mitigation approaches
- Biodiversity and Conservation: Understanding of ecosystem dynamics and conservation strategies for natural resource protection
Community and Stakeholder Engagement
- Stakeholder Consultation: Experience in designing and facilitating meaningful engagement processes with diverse community groups
- Participatory Research: Skills in implementing community-based research approaches that centre local knowledge and perspectives
- Risk Communication: Ability to communicate complex environmental risks and uncertainties to diverse audiences
- Collaborative Planning: Experience in supporting collaborative approaches to environmental planning and management
Recent consultancies and research
- Fresh Tastes Evaluation Support Services, ACT Health (2018)
- Evaluation of the Farming for Sustainable Soils Program, North Central CMA (2018)
- Evaluation of the School Crossing Supervisor Program, Transport Canberra and City Services (2018)
Education & qualifications
Advanced study in environmental systems, policy analysis, and complex problem-solving approaches. Developed foundational understanding of systems thinking and interdisciplinary approaches to environmental challenges.
Comprehensive study in environmental geography, spatial analysis, and human-environment interactions. Developed expertise in geographical information systems, environmental assessment, and landscape analysis.