Dr Karen Hytten staff profile picture

Contact details +6469516089

Dr Karen Hytten BEnvMgnt, PhD

Senior Lecturer in Environmental Management

Doctoral Supervisor
School of Agriculture and Environment

Professional

Contact details

  • Location: 2.51, AHA
    Campus: Turitea

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Environmental Management - Griffith University (2005)
  • Doctor of Philosophy - Griffith University (2013)

Research Expertise

Research Interests

My research focuses on the interface between science, politics, policy and the public. I have a strong interest in climate change politics and I am currently investigating the political discourses shaping social responses to climate change in Australia and New Zealand. I am also currently involved in research exploring the climate change impacts of food choices, and the potential for place-based climate change engagement in national parks.

Thematics

21st Century Citizenship, Resource Development and Management

Area of Expertise

Field of research codes
Environment Policy (160507):
Environmental Management (050205):
Environmental Politics (160605):
Environmental Science and Management (050200): Environmental Sciences (050000):
Environmental Sociology (160802): Policy and Administration (160500): Political Science (160600): Sociology (160800): Studies In Human Society (160000)

Research Outputs

Journal

Ranawaka, GK., Berka, AL., Hytten, KF., & van Noppen, FD. (2026). Towards Transformative Climate Governance: Capacities and Constraints for Local Government in Aotearoa New Zealand. Environmental Policy and Governance.
[Journal article]Authored by: Hytten, K.
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Cossar, LC., Hytten, KF., Hannon, J., & de Miguel Mercader, F. (2026). The state of circular economy implementation in the building and construction sector in Aotearoa New Zealand. Cleaner Production Letters. 10
[Journal article]Authored by: Hytten, K.
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1
Mensah, S., Hannon, J., & Hytten, KF. (2025). Design and trial of a comprehensive home composting evaluation tool. International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture. 14(3)
[Journal article]Authored by: Hytten, K.
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1
Y, C., Hytten, KF., & Pearson, D. (2025). Community Forest Management and REDD+: Pathways to Effective Implementation, Livelihood Improvement, and Climate Change Adaptation in Cambodia. Land. 14(5)
[Journal article]Authored by: Hytten, K., Pearson, D.
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2
Sextus, CP., Hytten, KF., & Perry, P. (2025). Volunteer commitment and longevity in community-based conservation in Aotearoa New Zealand. Kotuitui. 20(1), 25-45
[Journal article]Authored by: Hytten, K.
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Sextus, C., Hytten, K., & Perry, P. (2024). Barriers to volunteering and other challenges facing community-based conservation in Aotearoa New Zealand. Pacific Conservation Biology. 30, Retrieved from http://publish.csiro.au/PC/PC24029
[Journal article]Authored by: Hytten, K.
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Ridler, AL., Hytten, K., Gray, DI., & Reid, JI. (2025). Reduced anthelmintic use on 13 New Zealand sheep farms: farmer motivations and practical implementation. New Zealand Veterinary Journal. 73(1), 29-40
[Journal article]Authored by: Hytten, K., Reid, J., Ridler, A.
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2
Sextus, CP., Hytten, KF., & Perry, P. (2024). A Systematic Review of Environmental Volunteer Motivations. Society and Natural Resources. 37(11), 1591-1608
[Journal article]Authored by: Hytten, K.
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11
Dhoomun, L., Hytten, KF., & Perry, P. (2022). Perceptions of climate change and climate change policies within the tourism sector in Mauritius. Journal of the Indian Ocean Region. 18(1), 36-59
[Journal article]Authored by: Hytten, K.
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6
Hytten, KF. (2021). Exploring climate change discourses across five Australian federal elections. Political Science. 73(2), 161-180
[Journal article]Authored by: Hytten, K.
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4
Phongchiewboon, A., Farrelly, T., Hytten, K., & Holland, J. (2020). Political ecology, privation and sustainable livelihoods in northern Thailand's national parks. Journal of Political Ecology. 27(1), 360-377
[Journal article]Authored by: Hytten, K.
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10
Schröer-Merker, E., & Hytten, K. (2018). Students as partners in creating an alternative approach to teach farm business management in New Zealand: Can financials be sexy?. Teaching and Learning Together in Higher Education. 1(25), Retrieved from https://repository.brynmawr.edu/tlthe/vol1/iss25/4/
[Journal article]Authored by: Hytten, K.
Hytten, K., Schröer-Merker, E., Denfeld, S., Dhoomun, L., & Villacís Lozada, S. (2018). Promoting student partnership in a postgraduate environmental management programme through thesis research and writing workshops. Teaching and Learning Together in Higher Education. 1(25), Retrieved from https://repository.brynmawr.edu/tlthe/vol1/iss25/3/
[Journal article]Authored by: Hytten, K.
Hytten, KF. (2009). Dingo dualisms: Exploring the ambiguous identity of Australian dingoes. Australian Zoologist. 35(1), 18-27
[Journal article]Authored by: Hytten, K.
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44
Hytten, KF., & Burns, GL. (2007). Deconstructing dingo management on fraser Island, Queensland: The significance of social constructionism for effective wildlife management. Australasian Journal of Environmental Management. 14(1), 48-62
[Journal article]Authored by: Hytten, K.
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Thesis

Hytten, KF. (2013). The social construction of climate change: Deconstructing the Australian climate change debate. (Doctoral Thesis, Griffith University) Hytten, KF. (2013). The social construction of climate change: Deconstructing the Australian climate change debate. (Doctoral Thesis)
[Doctoral Thesis]Authored by: Hytten, K.
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Conference

Hytten, K., Parnell, J., & Bland, L. (2025, November). Policy failure and political inertia: Exploring the barriers constraining community responses to climate disasters in Aotearoa New Zealand.. Presented at New Zealand Political Science Association | Te Kāhui Tātai Tōrangapū o Aotearoa Conference. Dunedin.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Hytten, K.
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Hytten, K., & Berka, A. (2022, November). Towards low emissions agriculture? A systematic analysis of innovation policy driving New Zealand's agriculture sector.. Presented at 13th International Sustainability Transitions (IST) Conference 2022: Sustainability Transitions in a Global Context. Virtual.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Hytten, K.
Good, G., Hytten, KF., & Joy, AV. (2021, April). Sensory barriers to accessing national parks.. Presented at MAER Annual Conference 2021. Michigan, United States.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Good, G., Hytten, K.
van Noppen, FD., Reid, JI., Hytten, K., Horne, DJ., & Burkitt, L. (2018). Responding to Pressures to Adopt Environmentally Sustainable Practices: Farm Environmental Plans as “Boundary Objects”. Australasian Dairy Science Symposium (ADSS) 2018 Conference Proceedings. (pp. 90 - 94). Palmerston North, New Zealand: Australasian Dairy Science Symposium (ADSS) 2018
[Conference Paper in Published Proceedings]Authored by: Burkitt, L., Hytten, K., Reid, J.
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Quinteros Nogales, L., & Hytten, K. (2020, December). Energy access for development: Exploring the discourse underpinning Bolivia’s rural energy policy.. Presented at DEVNET 2020: 12th Biennial Conference of the Aotearoa New Zealand International Development Studies Network.. Palmerston North, New Zealand..
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Hytten, K.
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Hytten, K. (2020, December). Exploring the social construction of vulnerability within the Australian climate change debate.. Presented at DEVNET 2020: 12th Biennial Conference of the Aotearoa New Zealand International Development Studies Network.. Palmerston North, New Zealand..
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Hytten, K.
Hytten, K. (2018, November). What is and is not said? Exploring representation and responsibility within the Australian climate change debate. Presented at New Zealand Political Studies Association Conference 'Representation and Responsibility'. Wellington, New Zealand.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Hytten, K.
Hytten, KF. (2018, July). Invisible consequences: Exploring the borders and margins of the Australian climate change debate. Presented at 25th World Congress of Political Science 'Borders and Margins'. Brisbane, Australia.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Hytten, K.
Hytten, K. (2018). What about climate change? The absence of climate change from science communication in New Zealand national parks. In Full Programme PCST 2018(pp. 232 - 232). , Public Communication of Science and Technology Conference (PCST 2018): Science, Stories and Society: The Soul of Science Communication Dunedin, New Zealand: Public Communication of Science and Technology
[Conference Abstract]Authored by: Hytten, K.
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Hytten, KF. (2017, November). A force to be reckoned with: The resurgence of climate change scepticism within Australian politics. Presented at New Zealand Political Studies Association Conference '(Dis)ordering Politics: Exclusion, Resistance and Participation'. Dunedin, New Zealand.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Hytten, K.
Hytten, KF. (2017, September). Exploring the potential for place-based climate change engagement in New Zealand’s national parks. Presented at The 9th World Environmental Education Congress 'Culture - Environment, Weaving New Connections'. Vancouver, Canada.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Hytten, K.
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Hytten, KF. (2017, July). Something almost never said: Eating animals causes climate change. Presented at The 7th Australasian Animals Studies Association Conference 'Animal Intersections'. Adelaide, Australia.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Hytten, K.
Hytten, KF. (2016, November). Creating an international network of environmental professionals: The unique opportunities created by the New Zealand Development Scholarship Programme. Presented at Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand Annual Conference 'Foundations for Tommorrow'. Brisbane, Australia.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Hytten, K.
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Hytten, KF. (2016, September). The rise and fall of climate change in Australian politics: Climate change discourses across three Australian federal elections. Presented at Australian Poltical Studies Association Conference 2016 'The Politics of Justice and Rights: Challenges and Future Directions'. Sydney, Australia.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Hytten, K.
Hytten, KF. (2011, July). A notable omission? The presence and absence of animals within Australian climate change discourses. Presented at 'Animals, People: A Shared Environment'. Brisbane, Australia.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Hytten, K.
Hytten, KF. (2007, July). Dingo discourses: Constructions of nature and culture in the Australian context. Presented at 'Animals and Society II: Considering Animals'. Hobart, Australia.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Hytten, K.
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Teaching and Supervision

Contact Supervisor

Current Doctoral Supervision

Main Supervisor of:

  • Chaly Y - Doctor of Philosophy
    Community Forest Management and the Tumring REDD+ Project in Cambodia: Pathways to Effective Implementation, Livelihood Improvement, and Climate Change Adaptation
  • Angela Maree Parkin Parkin - Doctor of Philosophy
    Investigating collaborations that support farmers to integrate indigenous biodiversity management within pastoral farming systems in Aotearoa New Zealand.
  • Gangadari Ranawaka Arachchige - Doctor of Philosophy
    Exploring transformative climate governance in local climate change policies and practices in Aotearoa New Zealand

Co-supervisor of:

  • Sneha George - Doctor of Philosophy
    A Holistic Approach Integrating Landscape Ecology, PPGIS, and Community Perspectives to Understand Mangrove Change and Inform Inclusive Management in New Zealand

Completed Doctoral Supervision

Main Supervisor of:

  • 2025 - Charlotte Sextus - Doctor of Philosophy
    Community-based conservation volunteering: Motivations, barriers, and strategies for volunteer recruitment and retention to optimise conservation outcomes

Co-supervisor of:

  • 2021 - Florentine Van Noppen - Doctor of Philosophy
    Individuals, organisations, and local context shaping small-scale agricultural initiatives addressing sustainability
  • 2016 - Aurathai Phongchiewboon - Doctor of Philosophy
    Livelihood Strategies and Environmental Management Practices in Northern Thailand National Parks Communities