Grey Coupland

Grey Coupland is a Research Fellow at Murdoch University affiliated with the Centre for Biosecurity and One Health and the Harry Butler Institute. She also serves as Lead Scientist at SUGi and Advocate for Greener Spaces, Better Places.

Education:

• Postgraduate certificate in Sustainability and climate policy, Curtin University (2016)
• PhD in Ecology, Charles Darwin University (1999-2003)
• Honours in Marine Ecology, University of Western Australia (1997)
• Bachelor of Science (Environmental Science) with majors in Zoology and Marine Biology, University of Western Australia (1992-1996)

Research Interests: Grey Coupland specializes in ecological restoration with current focus on Miyawaki forest ecosystems for urban biodiversity enhancement. Her work integrates field research on mangrove/seagrass ecology, groundwater contamination assessment, and marine-terrestrial subsidies with community-driven urban greening initiatives. She pioneers STEM-based citizen science programs that empower schoolchildren through hands-on environmental stewardship.

Scientific Awards:

• Eureka Prize Finalist "Innovation in Citizen Science" (2025)
• National Banksia Sustainability Award Finalist "Biodiversity" (2025)
• Dr Nic Dunlop Conservation Science Award (2024)
• Eureka Prize Finalist "Innovation in Citizen Science" (2023)
• UNESCO Green Citizens Award (2022)
• Murdoch University Seed Grant (2021)

Advising and Grants: Coupland leads the UNESCO-recognized Miyawaki Forest Outreach Program engaging 150+ global schools, where students act as citizen scientists collecting ecological data. Her Murdoch University Seed Grant (2021) funded the program's development, which has since secured recognition as a Banksia Award finalist and received support from conservation organizations including the Conservation Council of WA.

Labs and Teams: She directs the Miyawaki Forest Research and Outreach Program (www.pocketforestswa.org) under Murdoch University's Harry Butler Institute, collaborating with SUGi on urban forest implementation and Greener Spaces, Better Places on community engagement initiatives. The program maintains active partnerships with Australian schools and environmental agencies.