Kingsley Dixon

Kingsley Dixon is a Professor in the School of Biological Sciences at The University of Western Australia, where he has established himself as a leading figure in plant ecology and restoration science. With over 40 years of experience, he has transformed restoration and conservation outcomes across Australia, particularly in the field of native plant ecosystems.

His research interests span multiple areas of plant science including seed germination mechanisms, restoration ecology, conservation biology, and phytohormone research. Prof. Dixon's work has particularly focused on understanding how Australian native plants respond to fire and other environmental challenges, with his discovery of smoke-stimulated germination being a landmark contribution to the field. He has also pioneered research on karrikins, a new class of phytohormones, and the role of cyanide in plant dormancy control.

Prof. Dixon's research output demonstrates a consistent focus on practical applications of ecological science, particularly in mining rehabilitation, biodiversity conservation, and ecosystem restoration. His recent work shows increasing integration of technology such as UAVs for monitoring restoration efforts, while maintaining his core focus on plant physiology and ecology.

• WA Scientist of the Year (2016)
• Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (2020)
• Linnean Medal for Botany (2013)
• Ecological Impact Award by the Ecological Society of Australia (2022)

As the former Foundation Director of Kings Park Science (a position he held for 32 years), Prof. Dixon led a team of over 40 research scientists and graduate students, establishing it as a world-leading model for conservation science. His current research includes the active project 'Unlocking the biodiverse recarbonising potential of Australian soils' (2025-2030) and he continues to supervise PhD students in ecological restoration and plant science.