DrNatalie Ralph

In 2016, Natalie joined Alfred Deakin Institute, as part of her role as
Associate Research Fellow for the ARC Centre of Excellence in Electromaterials
Science (ACES) where she is part of the ethics and energy team. Prior to this,
she received her PhD on mining and oil companies in conflict-prone areas and
corporate peacebuilding in 2012. She then worked in industry, and as a
Research Fellow for Deakin University, until joining ACES. She has also worked
in state government policy and project management roles; and in non-
governmental organisations.

Natalie was awarded her PhD in Business and Politics in 2012, by Deakin
University, Australia. Her research explored the new area of identifying
business roles in preventing conflict and supporting peacebuilding, with
particular focus on energy and mining corporations. She has a Masters of
International Diplomacy focused on Asia; and a BA Hons Degree in European
Studies, majoring in International Relations.

After completing her PhD, Natalie worked in industry to develop tools,
services and a book for industry to promote responsible and innovative
business approaches to preventing conflict, and supporting peacebuilding and
inter-cultural/faith initiatives.

In 2016, Natalie joined Alfred Deakin Institute, as part of her role as
Associate Research Fellow for the ARC Centre of Excellence in Electromaterials
Science (ACES). In ACES, Natalie is part of the Ethics, Policy and Public
Engagement (EPPE) team, focusing on Energy. She researches the risks and
opportunities, policy and regulatory impact and supply chain issues of new,
alternative energy technologies and the materials they use, to assess their
impacts on conflict, sustainable development, equity, access and resilience.

Examples of current research include: the impacts of alternative energy
technologies and their supply chains on conflict/peace in both developing and
developed countries; ethical and supply chain issues linked to materials used
in alternative energy laboratories and new technologies going to global
market; lithium industrialisation, vertically integrated mineral development
and public-private partnerships with foreign corporations; corporate
political activity and influence by energy industries on government policy;
stakeholder engagement and corporate peacemaking for sustainable business
management; risk assessment for energy devices; export of renewable
electricity and hydrogen; peace entrepreneurship for preventing conflict,
including extremism and terrorism; peace intrapreneurship.

Natalie formerly held government positions in policy and project management
with the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, Queensland Government, and the
Department of Victorian Communities, Victorian Government. In those roles she
worked on international collaborations in science, research for future policy
needs, Corporate Social Responsibility and business engagement with social
issues, export of education, and Women's and Youth issues.

Research Interests
The positive and negative impacts on conflict and peacebuilding of renewable
energy technologies and their materials and supply chains. This covers both
internal and geopolitical conflict;
The risks and opportunities posed by new, alternative energy technologies
such as battery, solar and hydrogen/ammonia power and storage, CO2 reduction
and thermocells;
Global governance mechanisms to support sustainable natural resources and
energy production; and responsible mining;
The new alternative energy future, exports of energy, and impacts on
International Relations and geopolitical power;
Corporate political activity and influence on government policy;
Peace entrepreneurship/intrapreneurship (for social cohesion and preventing
conflict including terrorism).