Manu Saunders

Manu Saunders is a Senior Lecturer in Ecology and Biology at the University of New England's School of Environmental and Rural Science. She holds a PhD in Ecology from Charles Sturt University (2014) and conducts research in community ecology, insect-plant interactions, and ecosystem services.

Her research focuses on insect ecology in agricultural and natural landscapes, examining how land use changes affect biodiversity and ecological processes. She investigates pollination networks, insect conservation strategies, urban insect ecology, and the impacts of disturbances like bushfires on insect communities.

Dr. Saunders has received multiple awards including the Dean's Award for Early Career Research Excellence and the Ecological Society of Australia Award for Outstanding Science Outreach. She coordinates ecology units and promotes science communication through public engagement initiatives.

Her publications demonstrate expertise in pollination ecology, conservation biology, and science communication. Recent work includes studies on fire impacts on threatened plants, urban insect conservation, and developing connected environmental science curricula.