About

I apply ecological theory with good doses of field work to seek solutions to the challenges of conserving biodiversity.

My work spans a diverse range of fields of study including behavioural, community and evolutionary ecology, conservation biology, landscape ecology and wildlife management.

My aim is to better understand species’ niches and their ecologies, species interactions, and ecosystem dynamics, and to use this information to inform more effective conservation, policy and biodiversity management.

Research

My cross-disciplinary research focuses on broad, interconnected themes:

  1. analysis of the factors that limit the distribution and abundance of species and are responsible for biogeographic patterns of species diversity, and
  2. the ecology and conservation of Australia’s native mammals.
Publications

Teaching

I am a Professor in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation in the School of Life and Environmental Sciences at Deakin University.

I chair the second-year SLE220 – Wildlife Ecology course. The objectives of this unit are to enable students to develop a strong understanding of theoretical population ecology. Students cover areas such as: animals as individuals, animals in populations, dispersal, resources, limiting factors and regulating mechanisms, competition, predation and population estimation.

Outreach

I dedicate considerable time to popular science communication and public outreach.

I have contributed to a number of popular science articles in The Conversation, as well as other publications.

I’m also a long-time panelist on 3RRR’s Einstein A Go-Go radio program and podcast.