Leigh-Ann Woolley

Dr. Leigh-Ann Woolley is a Research Fellow at the Environmental Research Institute of Charles Darwin University, specializing in wildlife and conservation ecology with a primary focus on Australian tropical savannas. Her work addresses critical conservation challenges including mammal population declines and invasive species impacts, with particular emphasis on feral cat ecology and habitat requirements for threatened species across northern Australia.

Dr. Woolley's research program centers on global savanna dynamics and mammal ecology, with specific expertise in understanding how fire management practices, particularly those informed by Indigenous knowledge systems, affect biodiversity outcomes. She has made significant contributions to understanding the ecological drivers behind small mammal declines in northern Australian tropical savannas and the role of tree hollow availability in supporting arboreal mammal populations. Her work consistently integrates Western scientific approaches with Indigenous ecological knowledge to develop practical conservation solutions.

Analysis of her publication record reveals a strong research trajectory focused on the intersection of fire ecology, invasive species management, and conservation biology. Her recent work demonstrates how unburnt habitat patches are critical for mammal survival, how tree hollow limitations constrain population recovery, and how Indigenous fire management practices produce measurable conservation benefits. This research has direct applications for biodiversity management in fire-prone Australian landscapes.

Though specific scientific awards are not documented in the available materials, Dr. Woolley's research has generated significant public engagement with 17 press/media features across multiple platforms. Her work has been covered by numerous news outlets and shared extensively on social media, reaching substantial audiences through X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and academic platforms like Mendeley.

Dr. Woolley maintains active collaborations with Indigenous ranger groups including Balanggarra Aboriginal Corporation, Dambimangari Aboriginal Corporation, Wilinggin Aboriginal Corporation, and Wunambal Gaambera Aboriginal Corporation. Her cross-cultural research projects employ innovative methodologies such as thermal-imaging drones for wildlife monitoring, particularly for rare species like the Spectacled Hare-wallaby and Black-footed rock wallaby in the Kimberley region of Western Australia.

Her field research focuses primarily on Australian tropical savannas, with significant activity in the Kimberley region where she investigates the complex interactions between fire regimes, invasive predators, and native mammal populations. Dr. Woolley's approach combines rigorous scientific methodology with deep respect for Indigenous knowledge systems, creating a powerful framework for addressing conservation challenges in Australia's unique ecosystems.