SPATIAL GOVERNANCE AUTHOR

FORMAL QUALIFICATIONS

	1961 - Bachelor of Surveying (University of Queensland) - licensed surveyor (Surveyors Board of Queensland)
	1980 - Certificate Course in Real Estate Valuations (Queensland Department of Education)
	1983 - Bachelor of Arts (University of Queensland) - majoring in history
	1987 - Bachelor of Economics (University of Queensland)
	1994 - Doctor of Philosophy (Queensland University of Technology) - thesis title 'A cybernetic approach to issues in land administration'

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

John graduated from the University of Queensland as a Bachelor of Surveying and was licensed as a surveyor by the Surveyors Board of Queensland in 1961. He worked as an employee in the private sector in North Queensland until 1969 and was then self-employed in Mackay until 1985. He moved to Brisbane in 1985 and undertook a variety of management consultant and teaching contracts until 1990.

In the 1960s, surveyors were in short supply in Queensland and were kept busy on development projects initiated in both the public and private sectors. In the 1970s, an economic downturn created considerable instability within the surveying and mapping industry in Queensland, especially as the Queensland Government retreated from its previous role of the State's dominant land developer. These circumstances seemed opportune to commence further studies.

As a part time external student, John completed a Certificate Course in Real Estate Valuation in 1980, a Bachelor of Arts (majoring in history) in 1983 and a Bachelor of Economics in 1987. In 1990, he received an Australian Post Graduate (Industry) Research Award and undertook full time studies from 1990 to 1993 to complete a Doctor of Philosophy degree in 1994. During these full time studies, John maintained a reduced role as a part-time lecturer at the Queensland University of Technology and carried out a number of research projects on land-related issues for the Queensland Government. He resumed full-time teaching from 1994 until 2003.

INTELLECTUAL INFLUENCES

Education, training and practice as a surveyor was influential in understanding the emotions and passions that people have in relation to the occupation of land and the use of natural resources. An education in surveying and mapping led to an interest in the historical circumstances of land development; and the contribution of surveying and mapping knowledge to social and economic well being. Surveying and mapping technology has been important in the history of land occupation since ancient times. It also became important in maritime navigation during a period of active European colonisation. Land surveying took on a new dimension with the occupation of large tracts of territory under European colonisation after the sixteenth century. Occupation of land was important in colonial ventures and land was a principle source of revenue for many governments until the twentieth century.

Studying history stimulated interest in the evolution of ideas in philosophy, religion, science, technology and politics. Understanding these ideas seemed important to governance in a variety of social and economic circumstances; and to the breakdown of problems of mismanagement situations . History also stimulated interest in economic ideas and outcomes; and led to more detailed formal study in economics. Studying economics led to particular interest in the production and use of information in society. This created an interest in the interface between economics and law; economics and politics; and economics and psychological limitations on learning and communication. Other economic interests are in industrial economics where differential growth of scientific and technological knowledge gave valuable insights into the comparative performance of industries and societies.

Business involvement as managing director of a land development firm led to more detailed study of valuation practice. Study in economics also reinforced prior learning in land valuation

Cybernetics introduced ideas about the nature of complexity and the need to view some issues : constraints on knowledge, memory and communication: the role of science and technology not only in adding to complexity but also in devising ways of overcoming constraints in memory and communication.

INTERESTS

Doctor Cook's intellectual interests are in the information processes that contribute to sustaining viability in complex systems. These interests involve a variety of land, resource and environment management issues and policies; regional and urban economics; economics of information and organisation; information policy; cadastral and resource management information systems; and industry economics affecting the land-related professions.

Doctor Cook is a member of the University of Queensland Judo Club and maintains an interest in judo as a form of physical recreation.