Professor Euan Ritchie is an award-winning ecologist dedicated to making wildlife conservation research impactful and accessible.
By Boronia Lyddieth
Professor Euan Ritchie is a well-known scientist, and for good reason. His passion for tackling ecological and conservation challenges isn’t just limited to the lab or the field. You might have come across Euan on your social media feed, local radio station, TV or favourite podcast. Because, for him, making discoveries is only part of the job.
‘Former UK Chief Scientist, Sir Mark Walport said, “Science isn’t finished until it’s communicated” – I couldn’t agree more! Working on a project for years but not investing in its effective communication and knowledge translation has always seemed rather daft to me.’
So daft that he decided to do something about it. Euan is recognised as one of the most influential science communicators in Australia today – a contribution recently acknowledged with a well-deserved 2024 Eureka Award for Promoting Understanding of Science.
‘Research is vital, but unless it’s communicated in a way that’s accessible for non-expert audiences, its full potential to bring about increased understanding and positive societal change – including in policy domains – is unlikely to be realised.’
For Euan, this need to translate research outcomes into something a wider audience can connect with is particularly critical in his domain of wildlife ecology and conservation.
Euan’s research at Deakin aims to improve understanding and management of wildlife populations and ecosystems by examining the importance of species interactions, particularly predators and prey, as well as threats and disturbances (such as habitat destruction, invasive species, climate change and fire).
‘As my research career has progressed, and the complexity of the questions and issues I grapple with has increased, I’ve needed to take a more interdisciplinary view and approach. I’m now very focused on the bigger picture around ecological and conservation challenges.
‘‘I’m constantly striving to understand the importance of connections between the extraordinary and wonderful diversity of life we are fortunate to share this planet with.’
His association with Deakin began in 2010 when he moved from Townsville after 15 years of work and study with James Cook University. Euan says he was drawn to Deakin as it had many similarities to his former academic home – both universities have a strong record of research in ecology and conservation. At Deakin he found a genuinely equal commitment to education and research and a community of incredible researchers, such as Professor Andrew Bennett.
‘An ecologist like me, he was always kind, considerate and supportive of staff and students. He provided an excellent role model and has been a tremendously generous and thoughtful mentor.’
Euan doesn’t just limit his work at Deakin to research and is also a dedicated teacher. For him, education and research can inform and support each other. In fact, education is critical to his goal of encouraging more people to be interested in ecology and conservation.
‘I bring ecological theory to life for students by demonstrating how this knowledge can be used to address real world issues. Nothing brings me greater joy than having in-depth conversations with students, in lectures or the field, about the complexities and different dimensions of wildlife conservation.’
As a dedicated science communicator, Euan actively extends these conversations into the policy space, using his voice to advocate for evidence-based action by government. He has been open about the need for stronger environmental laws and enforcement to significantly reduce or prevent harm to the environment and native species.
‘The issues we face are well-known and we have scientific solutions at hand. What we lack, severely so, is sufficient government ambition and support to address these issues.
‘We need an immediate increase in spending on conservation and environmental restoration to at least 1% of the annual federal budget, which is entirely affordable.’
For Euan, advocacy and policy discussions are a natural space for researchers to occupy, reflecting the vital role that science and evidence should play in informing laws.
‘Keen observers of history would realise science and politics have been intertwined for a very long time.
‘Given we are in the grips of twin crises – climate change and the decline and extinction of biodiversity – it has never been more important for environmental scientists to invest time in public outreach and evidence-based, scientific advocacy to improve environmental policy and decision-making.’
And nowhere is this need more evident for Euan than when he is working in the field, surrounded by Australia’s rich and diverse ecosystems. His favourite: the tropical savannas of Northern Australia and the wildlife, landscapes and Indigenous culture to be found there.
‘I fell in love with tropical savannas during my PhD when I travelled extensively across the region while studying the ecology and conservation of the antilopine wallaroo.
‘The stunning vistas, wide open spaces – often with few people or buildings – the sights and smells of late dry season storms and the transformation of habitats following the arrival of the wet season from dry and dusty to vivid green and pulsing with life.’
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