Research Group Conservation Science
The Conservation Science Research Group at The University of Newcastle consists of a team of internationally recognised experts in biodiversity conservation with project experience in the natural environment and biodiversity; environmental monitoring, restoration ecology, behavioural ecology and cognition, instrumentation and analysis; marine pollution impacts; and sustainable adaptation in agriculture and forestry.
The team works with international, national, state and local government departments and agencies including:
National
- Australian Federal Department of Environment
- Forest Corporation NSW
- National Parks and Wildlife Services NSW
- National Parks and Wildlife Services, QLD
- Office of Environment and Heritage NSW
- Roads and Maritime NSW
- Hunter & Central Coast Development Corporation
- Hunter Local Land Services
- Hunter Water Corporation
- Sydney Olympic Park Authority
- Lake Macquarie City Council
- Port Stephens Shire Council
- Central Coast NSW Local Government Area
- Strathfield NSW Local Government Area
International
- International Union for the Conservation of Nature
- South African National Parks
- Wildlife Institute of India
We also work with Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) and the private sector such as:
Private Sector
- Adari Mines Borneo
- BHP
- GHD
- Newcastle Coal Infrastructure
- Port Waratah
- RPS
- South32 P/L
- Umwelt
- Viva Energy
Non-Government Organisations (NGOs)
- Australian Wildlife Conservancy
- Birdlife Australia
- Frog and Tadpole Study Group
- North East Forest Alliance, Environmental Defenders Office
The Conservation Science Research Group work on all aspects of biodiversity including:
- multispecies assemblages
- single threatened species (green-and-golden bell-frog; Eurasian curlew; numerous threatened frog species, quokkas; lions; urban birds and shorebirds)
- reproductive technologies (gastric-brooding frog, Hip-pocket frog, oysters)
- managing invasive species (common mynas, foxes, cane toads)
- predator-prey interactions (jaguar/human prey preferences)
- genetics (population genetics and phylogenetics using next generation DNA sequencing, PCR and SNPs)
- spatial ecology (corridor analysis of squirrel gliders/elephants/ peccaries; species distribution modelling)
- disease management (chytrid fungus impacts on frogs)
- climate change impacts (fundamental niche predictive modelling, ecophysiology of ectotherms)
- habitat restoration (Kurri Kurri sands ecological community, Kooragang Island, Sydney Olympic Parklands, Addo Elephant National Park faunal restoration).
The group comprises 8 academics, 4 post-doctoral fellows, three conjoint academics, 15 PhDs and fourth year (honours) students working on biodiversity issues.
The group also brings together research scientists interested in establishing impact monitoring, conservation and management tools for Australia's unique flora, fauna and ecosystems.
A day in the life of an aquatic ecologist
Key Contacts
Professor Matthew Hayward
Professor
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
- Matthew.Hayward@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4921 7472
Dr Andrea Griffin
Associate Professor in Wildlife Conservation Science
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
- Andrea.Griffin@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4348 4393
Associate Professor John Clulow
Honorary Associate Professor
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
- John.Clulow@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4921 5721
Dr Anita Chalmers
Honorary Lecturer
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
- Anita.Chalmers@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4349 4462
Associate Professor Troy Gaston
Associate Professor
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
- Troy.Gaston@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4349 4569
Associate Professor Craig Hight
Associate Professor
School of Humanities, Creative Ind and Social Sci
- Craig.Hight@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4921 5002
Associate Professor Bill Leggat
Professor
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
- Bill.Leggat@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 43484021
Associate Professor Geoff MacFarlane
Associate Professor
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
- Geoff.Macfarlane@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4921 7858
Emeritus Professor John Rodger
Emeritus Professor
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
- John.Rodger@newcastle.edu.au
- 0419 211 071
Dr Richard Yu
Senior Lecturer
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
- Richard.Yu@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4921 6990
Scientists
Postdoctoral Scientists
Dr Alex Callen
Lecturer, Vegetation and Restoration Ecology
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Dr Vincent Raoult
Casual Senior Research Assistant
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
- Vincent.Raoult@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 43484082
Research Scientist
Dr Colin McHenry
Casual Senior Research Assistant
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
- Colin.Mchenry@newcastle.edu.au
- 0412 659541
Conjoints
Dr Simon Clulow
Honorary Associate Lecturer
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
- Simon.Clulow@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4921 5811
Professor Michael Mahony
Honorary Professor
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
- Michael.Mahony@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4921 6014
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.