Jessica Reeves

Jessica Reeves is a Senior Lecturer in Environmental Science at Federation University Australia's Institute of Innovation, Science and Sustainability, based at the Gippsland Campus. She serves as co-chair of the Resilient Landscapes and Aquatic Ecosystems Research Theme within the Future Regions Research Centre and actively contributes to regional environmental governance through the Gippsland Lakes Coordinating Committee and former roles with the Gippsland Climate Change Network.

Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Science (Honours) from the University of Melbourne (1998), a PhD in Earth and Environmental Sciences from the University of Wollongong (2004), and professional certification from the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Prior academic positions include a Post-Doctoral Fellowship at the Australian National University (2004-2006) and part-time Research Associate role at RMIT University (2006-2011), before commencing full-time at Federation University (formerly University of Ballarat) in 2012.

Reeves' research integrates geological expertise with community-centered approaches to address sustainability challenges. Her work spans paleoenvironmental reconstruction of industrial pollution legacies, contemporary climate adaptation strategies, and innovative knowledge brokerage models that elevate community voices in environmental stewardship. She specializes in place-based methodologies that incorporate multiple ways of knowing, particularly in Gippsland's complex socio-ecological systems, with significant contributions to understanding estuarine contamination, landscape recovery post-bushfires, and regenerative agricultural systems.

Analysis of her publication record reveals consistent focus on transdisciplinary solutions to environmental challenges, with increasing emphasis on community-led recovery frameworks and Sustainable Development Goals implementation since 2015. Her work bridges paleoenvironmental science with contemporary policy applications, demonstrating strong regional engagement in Victoria while contributing to international collaborations through the EU Jean Monnet Network.

Her scientific recognitions include:

• Fellowship at the Rachel Carson Center for Environment and Society (Munich)
• Veski Sidebyside Award for Women in STEM (2020)
• Selection for Homeward Bound Women in Science Leadership Program (inaugural 2016 cohort)

Reeves has secured over $1.2 million in competitive research funding, including projects such as 'Highlighting the value of local Landcare groups to community led recovery' ($69,579), 'Defining economic benefits of regenerative farming systems' ($258,000), and 'Assessing community values around Latrobe Valley pit voids' ($103,000). Her grant portfolio emphasizes community co-design in climate adaptation, contaminant mobility studies, and sustainable regional development.

She maintains active roles in the EU Jean Monnet Network on Social and Scientific Innovation for Sustainable Development Goals and the Institute of Australian Geographers, while directing community-focused initiatives like the 'Living Bung Yarnda' CoastCare project and contributing to the Gippsland Climate Change Adaptation Plan.