Leah Beesley

Leah Beesley is a Research Fellow at the University of Western Australia (UWA) within the School of Agriculture and Environment, affiliated with the Resilient Landscapes Hub. Her work focuses on applied ecological research, particularly river system conservation and restoration across natural, agricultural, and urban landscapes. She specializes in freshwater fish ecology, but also studies turtles, macroinvertebrates, algae, and riparian plants.

Dr. Beesley’s current projects include the 'Ecological and Indigenous Values of South-Western Australian Rivers' and 'Enhancing the Resilience of Urban Rivers: Informing the Regional Restoration of the Djarlgaroo Beeliar (Canning River, Perth)'. She collaborates with Aboriginal Corporations and Traditional Owners to integrate Indigenous knowledge into policy development. Her research emphasizes environmental flows, arid zone rivers, and urban stream ecology.

She holds a PhD in Zoology from UWA (2006) and has extensive industry experience, including environmental consulting for mine impact assessments and roles at the Arthur Rylah Institute. Teaching includes second-year ecology and fourth-year conservation decision-making courses. She supervises Honours, Masters, and PhD students, fostering supportive environments for their growth.

Her research has been funded by grants from the Fisheries Research & Development Corporation, AgriFutures Australia, and Perth Region NRM. Key activities include public lectures, workshops, and advisory roles in water management initiatives. Despite no explicitly listed awards, her contributions to sustainable development goals (e.g., SDG 6: Clean Water) and Indigenous partnerships highlight her impactful work.