Congratulations Jim!

Jim Turnour celebrated receiving his PhD in Economics from JCU College of Business Law and Governance at the formal graduation ceremony held March 24 at the Cairns Convention Centre.

After receiving his PhD in 2022 Dr Turnour said, “The pomp and ceremony of the day including dressing up in the gown, bonnet and hood, parade and formal acknowledgement by the Chancellor and academic staff on stage with family and friends in attendance made it a fun and special day.”

“I hadn’t really thought that much about the graduation ceremony but am glad I attended as it felt like a real celebration and capped off many years of study.”

Dr Turnour’s thesis investigated Indigenous economic development and sustainable livelihoods in northern Australia problematising government Indigenous and northern Australia development policy through case study research. It makes a range of recommendations to improve policy through a new Uluru Statement from the Heart policy agenda.

Dr Turnour said, “I want to acknowledge and thank the Aboriginal people of the Wet Tropics of North Queensland the focus of my case study research and particularly the Eastern Kuku Yalanji Bama whom I worked most closely with during the research. I look forward to continuing to work with them and many other First Nations across northern Australia to improve policy and outcomes.”

“I am so grateful to my supervisors Professor Hurriyet Babacan and Associate Professor Riccardo Welters for their patience and support over many years. It would also not have been possible to complete my PhD without the support of my wife Tiffany and daughter Zoe who were there on the day to enjoy the celebrations.”