Kerrie Wilson is one of Australia's leaders in the science, strategy and policy of conservation. Her research focuses on using information from a range of disciplines (including biology, geography, economics, mathematics and social sciences) to improve the outcomes of conservation measures. Using a collaborative approach, she works with stakeholders from farmers to government, and has worked on projects both in Australia and overseas. After a distinguished career at the University of Queensland, she became Pro Vice-Chancellor (Sustainability and Research Integrity) at the Queensland University of Technology. In November 2023 she was appointed Queensland's Chief Scientist.. Her work has been recognised with a number of awards including the Frank Fenner Prize for Life Scientist of the Year (2016) and the Nancy Millis Medal for Women in Science (2017).
"Professor Kerrie Wilson has made significant discoveries in the environmental sciences that have resulted in more effective conservation practices. She identified how significant funds for conservation can be saved and investments could be more equitable through incorporating socio-economic principles into setting priorities for conservation investments. This has resulted in new theory and novel decision support tools to inform how limited conservation funds should be allocated to achieve multiple objectives, further enhancing the legacy and impact of her influential applied research program. Her research has led to innovative ways to efficiently protect and restore natural ecosystems and her ability to translate this new knowledge into practical applications has positioned her as a global, national and local leader in conservation science." [from https://www.science.org.au/opportunities-scientists/recognition/honorific-awards/honorific-awardees/2017-awardees 24/10/2-24]
1999
1999
Education - BAppSc (hons), University of Queensland
2004
2004
Education - PhD, University of Melbourne
2007
2008
Career position - Director of Conservation, The Nature Conservancy Australia
2008
2008
Award - ARC Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Queensland
2010
2010
Award - Scientific Visits to Europe Award, Australian Academy of Science
2010
2019
Career position - Chief Investigator (later Director), ARC Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions, University of Queensland
2011
2018
Career position - Australian Research Council (ARC) Future Fellow, The University of Queensland
2013
2013
Award - Eureka Prize for Outstanding Young Researcher, Australian Museum
2013
2013
Award - Foundation Research Excellence Award, The University of Queensland
2014
2014
Award - H. G. Andrewartha Medal, Royal Society of South Australia
2014
2014
Award - SCOPUS Young Researcher Award, Life and Biological Sciences, Elsevier and the Australasian Research Management Society
2015
2015
Award - Life Sciences Research Award, Women in Technology
2015
2021
Career position - Chief Investigator, National Environmental Science Programme Threatened Species Recovery Hub
2016
2016
Award - Frank Fenner Prize for Life Scientist of the Year, Commonwealth of Australia
2017
2017
Award - Nancy Millis Medal for Women in Science, Australian Academy of Science
2019
2023
Career position - Executive Director, Institute for Future Environments, Queensland University of Technology
2019
2023
Career position - Pro Vice-Chancellor (Sustainability and Research Integrity), Queensland University of Technology
November 2023
Career position - Queensland Chief Scientist, Queensland Department of Environment, Science and Innovation