Professor Sue Carthew

Biography/ Background

I am currently Head of the School of Earth & Environmental Sciences and prior to that was Head of the Discipline of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology within the School. My interests span three key research areas related to ecology:

• conservation biology, including the impacts of habitat fragmentation and degradation on fauna and threatened species conservation,
• ecology of mammals, with an emphasis on the ecology of possums and gliders and small ground-dwelling species inhabiting semi-arid mallee regions, and
• plant-pollinator interactions, with a particular interest in the role of mammals (including small possums) as pollinators.

I have been successful in forging links with industry and government bodies, both in South Australia and elsewhere, and have obtained industry funding for basic and applied research from a variety of bodies, including Boral, BHP, Hancocks Victorian Plantations, NSW National Parks and Wildlife, State Forests of NSW, SA Department for Environment & Natural Resources, Primary Industries SA and Forestry SA, as well as the Australian Research Council.

I have been a member on several boards and committees that play a key role in environmental decision-making. I am presently a member of Marine Innovations SA (MISA) Steering Committee, Arid Recovery Board and the SA Museum Board and sit on three state-based threatened species recovery teams. For some years I sat on the Australian Heritage Commission Natural Areas Evaluation Panel, the SA National Parks and Wildlife Council and the SA Wildlife Advisory Committee. These provide ministerial advice on the conservation of wildlife, current and potential threats to biodiversity, management of over-abundant species (e.g. birds, koalas and kangaroos), and the reserve system. I have participated in working groups examining a range of issues, including habitat modelling for mallee fauna in NSW, conflict between marine mammals and aquaculture, and marine protected areas. I have been on organising committees for several conferences and have initiated and chaired symposia on a number of occasions. I am currently a member of the Council of Australian Environmental Deans and Directors.

I have played a significant role in the training of graduate students, supervising more than 28 Honours students to completion, in areas ranging from small mammal ecology to pollination and conservation biology. Of these, more than half have received 1st class Honours, and a number have gone on to do a PhD. I am currently involved in the supervision of 12 PhD students, and have had more than 10 Masters and PhD students successfully complete since 2001, most with excellent reviews.

Employment History

• Head, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Adelaide (2006-present)
• Head, Discipline of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Adelaide (2004-2006)
• Deputy Head, Department of Environmental Science & Management, The University of Adelaide (1996-1998)
• Senior Lecturer, The University of Adelaide (1996)
• Lecturer, The University of Adelaide (1993)
• Associate Lecturer /Acting Lecturer (tenured), The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy Campus (formerly Roseworthy Agricultural College) (1990)
• PhD student, University of Wollongong (1985-1990)
• Consultant Zoologist (1988-1989), Research Assistant, Biology, University of Wollongong (1986-1987)
• Casual Tutor & Demonstrator, Biology, University of Wollongong (1985-1989)
• Research Officer, Physiology, University of Sydney (1982-1984)

Qualifications

• 1982 - BSc (University of Wollongong)
• 1991 - PhD (University of Wollongong) - The Pollination Biology and Breeding System of Banksia spinulosa

Teaching Interests

Current PhD Students

• Jasmin Packer - Effects of invasive bladrberry on habitat quality for the Southern brown bandicoot
• Amanda McLean - Conservation and ecology of the endangered marsupial the sandhill dunnart
• Karleah Trengove - Ecology of the Greater Bilby (Macrotis lagotis): more effective management and monitoring of reintroduced populations for improved conservation outcomes.
• Jo Lee - Impacts of mineral exploration tracks on small mammals and reptiles
• You Li - Conservation genetics and socioecology of marsupials in fragmented populations of south-eastern South Australia
• Nik Fuller - Population genetics of Gould's long-eared bat (Nyctophilus gouldi) and the lesser long-eared bat (N.geoffroyi) in fragmented populations of south-eastern Australia.
• Terry Reardon - Systematics and biogeography of Mormopterus (Chiroptera:Molossidae).
• Lindy Scott - Impact of Mineral Exploration on Ecosystem Characters and Mallee Vegetation of Pinkawillinie Conservation Park, South Australia
• Leah Kemp - Behaviour and ecology of the SA mainland tammar wallaby following an experimental reintroduction
• Briony Horner - The use of flowering resources by the western pygmy possum, Cercartetus concinnus

Current Undergraduate Courses

• Ecology II (Level II) Semester 2
• Concepts in Ecology (Level III) Semester 1

Research Interests

Current Research Projects

• Long term study of the socioecology of the yellow-bellied glider at the edge of its range (collaboration with Dr Ross Goldingay, Southern Cross University) (funded by Hancock Victoria Plantations)
• Ecological and genetic consequences of habitat fragmentation on arboreal marsupials (collaboration with Dr Melanie Lancaster, University of Adelaide, Dr Andrea Taylor, Monash University, Assoc Prof Steve Cooper SA Museum, Department for Environment and Natural Resources, Hancock Victoria Plantations) (funded via ARC linkage, DENR, HVP, Mark Mitchell Foundation, Wildlife Conservation Fund, Native Vegetation Council)
• Impacts of mineral exploration activities on native fauna and flora (collaboration with Assoc Prof Jose Facelli, University of Adelaide, Primary Industries and Resources SA) (funded by PIRSA)
• Ecological aspects of mammal reintroductions (collaborators: Dr Andy Sharp, SA DENR, Zoos SA, Dr Greg Johnston) (funded via NHT, Dept. Environment and Heritage Canberra, WCF)
• Long term study on small mammal and reptile populations in a semi-arid mallee ecosystem (funded by OneSteel)
• The role of mammals in the pollination of plants, particularly from the Family Proteaceae

Publications

Professional Associations

• Editorial Board, Ecological Management and Restoration
• Past President, Australian Pollination Society
• Past SA Regional Councillor, Ecological Society of Australia
• Member, Ecological Society of Australia
• Member, Australian Mammal Society
• Member, G08 Heads of Biological Sciences Group

Expertise for Media Contact

Categories	Animals and veterinary science
Expertise	Animals; wild animals; conservation biology; pollination; arboreal marsupials; small mammals and reptiles; environment; reptiles; wildlife; animals; zoology
Notes	Alt phone: (08) 8303 7828

Entry last updated: Tuesday, 7 Aug 2012