Andy Leigh

Professor Andy Leigh is a plant ecologist at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), specializing in plant responses to extreme environmental conditions, particularly thermal stress and climate change impacts. She holds a professorial position in the School of Life Sciences and has led interdisciplinary research on thermal tolerance, resilience of plant communities, and Indigenous knowledge integration. Her work bridges ecology, physiology, and climate science, with a focus on arid and alpine ecosystems.

Education and Roles:

• PhD in Botany (Australian National University, 2007)
• BSc Honours and BA (Visual Arts) from ANU
• Past leadership roles: Head of School (Life Sciences), UTS; Associate Dean for Teaching and Learning (2015–2021)

Research Focus:

Her research investigates how plants acclimate to heatwaves, drought, and fire, with emphasis on thermal thresholds, genetic adaptation, and ecosystem resilience. Collaborations include Indigenous custodians at Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and global networks like the Leaf Temperature Working Group.

Awards and Recognition:

• Senior Fellow, Higher Education Academy
• UTS Learning and Teaching Award (2013)
• Three UTS Faculty of Science Excellence Awards

Grants and Leadership:

Current grants include ARC-funded projects on thermal tolerance and alpine resilience. She co-leads the AusTraits plant trait database and IDEAcology expert elicitation tool. Over 50 peer-reviewed publications span plant physiology, climate adaptation, and ecological modeling.

Labs and Teams:

Leigh Lab members include 8 PhD/Honours students and co-supervised researchers. Partnerships with ANU, CSIRO, and Parks Australia drive field-based and genomic studies. Public engagement includes media appearances, podcasts, and blogs on plant science and climate change.