Natalie Gardner is a PhD candidate at the Global Centre for Mineral Security, where her research explores how poverty assessments can be strengthened by applying a mineral security lens. Put simply, she seeks to understand how access to minerals supports essential human development needs such as shelter, food security, energy, health, mobility, and communication.
Natalie brings over a decade of applied experience in social impact assessment and due diligence, particularly in the extractives and infrastructure sectors across Australia and Melanesia. Her project portfolio includes social characterisation studies, social impact assessments, social impact management plans, and community investment frameworks. She has designed and implemented field research in remote, post-conflict settings, including household surveys, participatory mapping, focus group discussions, and photo-voice programs. A focus of her work and research is the relationship between natural resource access, infrastructure development, and social wellbeing.