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

I am on the editorial board for Austral Ecology (formerly the Australian Journal of Ecology); the premier peer-reviewed journal focusing on southern hemisphere ecology.

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 subject SLE220 – Wildlife Ecology which aims to enable students to develop a strong understanding of theoretical population ecology and its applications. Key concepts include individual variation, population estimation, population change and demographics, dispersal, species niches, competition, predation, harvesting and wildlife conservation.

Outreach

I dedicate considerable time to science communication, public outreach and advocacy.

I have contributed to a more than 75 popular science articles in The Conversation, as well as other publications.

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

And I’m proud to be a Councillor on the Biodiversity Council, Australia’s trusted expert voice communicating accurate information on all aspects of biodiversity.