Kerrie Wilson

Affiliations & Roles

Professor Kerrie Wilson holds a Professorship at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) within the School of Biology & Environmental Science. She also serves as Queensland Chief Scientist and has held leadership roles including Pro Vice-Chancellor (Sustainability and Research Integrity) at QUT and Executive Director of the Institute for Future Environments. She is an Affiliated Professor in Conservation Science at the University of Copenhagen and contributes to national bodies like the Australian Heritage Council and Reef 2050 Plan Independent Expert Panel.

Education

• Bachelor of Environmental Science (First Class Honours), The University of Queensland (1999)
• PhD in Conservation Science, University of Melbourne (2004) - conducted in collaboration with UN Environment Programme’s World Conservation Monitoring Centre.

Research Focus

Her work centers on applied conservation science, including strategic resource allocation for biodiversity protection, ecosystem services integration, and socio-political factors influencing conservation outcomes. Key themes include:
- Prioritization of restoration investments
- Conservation in production landscapes (e.g., agriculture-ecology trade-offs)
- Decision-making frameworks for global environmental challenges.

Grants & Projects

Notable initiatives include:
- Securing Antarctica’s Environmental Future (ARC Special Research Initiative, $36M)
- Great Barrier Reef Foundation Monitoring ($389K)
- ARC-funded projects on spatial prioritization, mangrove conservation, and threatened species research.

Awards

• 2016: Prime Minister’s Frank Fenner Prize for Life Scientist of the Year
• 2017: Australian Academy of Science Nancy Millis Medal for Women in Science
• ARC Future Fellowship (2010)

Labs & Collaborations

Active in interdisciplinary teams including the Institute for Future Environments and global NGOs like The Nature Conservancy. Her work spans partnerships with governments, UN agencies, and international research networks.