Christine Schlesinger

Associate Professor Christine Schlesinger is an Arid Zone Ecologist at Charles Darwin University's Faculty of Science and Technology, based at the Alice Springs campus. She leads the Arid Zone Wildlife Ecology & Conservation lab and coordinates the Bachelor of Environmental Science degree. Her research focuses on desert ecosystems, particularly the impacts of invasive species like buffel grass, fire dynamics, and conservation of arid zone fauna. She collaborates with Indigenous communities, emphasizing decolonial frameworks and environmental justice. Her work integrates ecological and social dimensions, addressing threats such as invasive species, climate change, and introduced predators.

Education: PhD in Arid Zone Ecology (2000). Research interests include fauna adaptation to environmental changes, invasive species management, and Indigenous-led conservation. She teaches field ecology and wildlife management, emphasizing practical, hands-on learning. Key projects include the Conservation Ecology of the Greater Bilby and Anangu Futures, focusing on Indigenous employment and knowledge systems.

Grants and Collaborations: Involved in projects funded by national grants, including work on thorny devils at Uluru and fire ecology in the Tanami Desert. Her research outputs span over two decades, with publications in journals like Biological Conservation and Ecology and Evolution.

Labs and Teams: Leads the Arid Zone Wildlife Ecology & Conservation lab, fostering interdisciplinary research. Engages with First Nations peoples, particularly Arrernte and Anangu groups, prioritizing co-conspirator roles in environmental initiatives.