Julian Partridge

Dr. Julian Partridge is an Associate Professor and Adjunct Senior Research Fellow at the University of Western Australia (UWA), affiliated with the School of Biological Sciences and the UWA Oceans Institute. He holds expertise in marine biology, sensory systems, and deep-sea biology, with over 30 years of global research and teaching experience. His work integrates engineering and biology to advance marine science and policy. Previously serving as Director of the UWA Oceans Institute until 2022, he contributed to strategic development aligning with UWA’s marine research goals. He is a Fellow of the UWA Public Policy Institute and has held roles in national and state marine committees, influencing policy. His research focuses on visual systems in marine organisms, deep-sea adaptations, and ecological impacts of human activities.

Education:

• PhD in Zoology (Microspectrophotometry of Vertebrate Photoreceptors), University of Bristol (1986)
• BSc in Zoology, University of Bristol (1982)

Research Interests: Dr. Partridge explores sensory ecology, particularly visual adaptations in marine species, and the intersection of marine biology with environmental challenges. His work addresses topics like bioluminescence, deep-sea biodiversity, and the impact of climate change on marine ecosystems. He also investigates the ecological value of human-made structures such as subsea pipelines and oil platforms.

Awards:

• Fellow of the UWA Public Policy Institute

Grants & Projects: He leads and collaborates on initiatives including the Minderoo OceanOmics Centre, ARDC Data Partnerships for marine biodiversity, and projects assessing fish associations with subsea infrastructure. His research spans ecological niche modeling, marine policy, and sustainable ocean practices.

Labs & Teams: Active in the UWA Oceans Institute, he contributes to interdisciplinary teams focused on deep-sea research, marine policy, and technological applications in marine surveys. He chairs advisory boards for initiatives like the Minderoo-UWA Deep-Sea Research Centre and the AIMS@UWA program.