Colin H Scott

Prof. Scott is an interdisciplinary researcher whose work focuses on the relationships between Indigenous peoples, local communities, and their "territories of life." These territories are defined by deep cultural and historical connections to biodiverse landscapes, community-based ecological governance, and livelihoods that sustain and enhance local ecosystems.

Their ethnographic research has centered on the ecological knowledge and practices of hunters and fishers in two distinct regions: the eastern subarctic of Canada and the tropical coral seas of Torres Strait in northeastern Australia. A key aspect of their work examines the pressures of resource extraction—including hydroelectric development, mining, and industrial fishing—on Indigenous hunting environments and lifeways. In parallel, their research explores Indigenous legal claims related to land and marine rights, contributing to broader discussions on sovereignty, stewardship, and environmental justice.

As the director of the Centre for Indigenous Conservation and Development Alternatives (CICADA) and the Leadership for the Ecozoic (L4E) program, Prof. Scott collaborates with co-researchers and community partners to foster transboundary research alliances. Their work spans watershed-scale initiatives in the Châteauguay and Champlain-Richelieu regions of southern Quebec, upstate New York, and northern Vermont, emphasizing Indigenous-led conservation, ecological governance, and sustainable development.