Lily van Eeden

Dr. Lily van Eeden is a Lecturer in Environmental Science at RMIT University’s School of Science, specializing in conservation biology and human behavior. Her work focuses on understanding how human interactions with nature influence conservation outcomes, combining natural and social science approaches to address socio-ecological challenges.

She holds a PhD and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research, where she researched human behavior change interventions linked to Victoria’s Biodiversity 2037 conservation plan. With nearly a decade of field ecology experience in Australia, China, and the U.S., she prioritizes applied, impact-driven research.

**Research Interests**: Human-nature relationships, pro-environmental behavior theories, wildlife conservation’s human dimensions, and conservation social science. Her interdisciplinary approach addresses topics like urban rewilding, Indigenous resource management, and policy pathways for nature protection.

**Teaching & Supervision**: Leads courses like ENVI1145 Environmental Sampling and Analysis and supervises projects on behavior change, peatland restoration, and high-carbon soils. Open to mentoring Masters and PhD students in conservation-related fields.

**Engagement**: Serves on the Nillumbik Shire Council’s Environment and Sustainability Advisory Committee and the Society for Conservation Biology’s Social Sciences Working Group. Her recent work explores frameworks for conservation behavior change and community-led approaches to disaster resilience.