Cooper Nat Schouten

Dr Cooper Schouten is a Senior Research Fellow in the Faculty of Science and Engineering at Southern Cross University, where he also serves as Director of the SCU Bee Research and Extension Lab. His work is centered on strategic beekeeping industry development with a strong applied and community-engaged focus, aiming to deliver tangible benefits to beekeeping enterprises, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.

Education:

• B. Environmental Science, Southern Cross University
• B. Science with Honours (1st Class), Southern Cross University (2014–2015)
• Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D), Southern Cross University (2016–2019)

His research spans sustainable agricultural development, international agricultural research, and beekeeping, with particular emphasis on honey bee nutrition, biosecurity, varroa mite integrated pest management (IPM), queen bee breeding, and post-harvest practices. He actively integrates gender equity and participatory approaches into apiculture development.

Dr Schouten has led and contributed to significant international research initiatives, including multi-year ACIAR projects in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Fiji. His work bridges science, industry, and policy, with strong community engagement through training, extension, and capacity building.

Scientific Awards and Recognition:

• Early Career Alumnus of the Year, Southern Cross University (2021)
• Southern Cross University Research Award (2023)
• Community Impact Award, Southern Cross University (2023)
• Young Alumnus of the Year, Southern Cross University (2023)

Dr Schouten is actively involved in student supervision, currently guiding one Masters by research student and three PhD candidates, in addition to having previously overseen three Integrated Projects and one Honours student. He has also secured research funding through competitive grants, particularly from ACIAR. He has developed and delivered undergraduate science units with high student satisfaction scores and has created training materials for beekeeping industries in collaboration with government, private sector, and NGOs.

He is an Executive Member of the Australian Honey Bee Industry Council, an editorial board member of the journal Bee World, and an active member of the NSW Apiarists Association. His leadership in the SCU Bee Research and Extension Lab underscores his commitment to translating research into sustainable livelihoods through beekeeping.