Michael Archer

Professor Michael Archer is a distinguished academic at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), where he serves as a Professor in the School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences and is a member of the PANGEA Research Center. Born in Sydney but raised in the USA, Archer has had a remarkable career spanning multiple institutions including the Queensland Museum (as Curator of Mammals), UNSW (as Lecturer and later Dean of Science), and the Australian Museum in Sydney (as Director).

His educational background includes a BA in Geology/Biology from Princeton University (1967) and a PhD in Zoology from the University of Western Australia (1976). Archer's research focuses on three interconnected areas: the deep past (particularly the World Heritage fossil deposits at Riversleigh), the fragile present (conservation through sustainable use of native resources including native animals as pets), and securing the future based on the wisdom of the fossil record, with special emphasis on de-extinction efforts for species like the Gastric-brooding Frog and the Thylacine.

Archer's scholarly output is extensive, with over 350 scientific publications including 15 books, and an impressive h-index of 55 as of 2022. His research spans paleontology, evolutionary biology, and conservation science, with particular emphasis on Australian marsupials, fossil records, and species evolution. The most recent publications show continued activity in describing new fossil species from Riversleigh and other Australian sites, as well as expanding research into New Zealand's St Bathans Fauna.

His scientific recognition includes numerous prestigious awards and fellowships:

• Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science (FAA)
• Distinguished Fellow of the Royal Society of NSW (DistFRSN)
• Fellow of the Royal Zoological Society of NSW (FRZS)
• Fellow of the Australian College of Educators (FACE)
• Fellow of the Western Australian Academy of Science (FWAAS)
• Member of the Order of Australia (AM)
• Eureka Prize for Promotion of Science

Professor Archer has supervised or co-supervised more than 80 research student degrees, demonstrating his commitment to academic mentoring. His work extends beyond traditional academic boundaries into public engagement and policy discussions about conservation, sustainable use of native resources, and the ethical considerations of de-extinction science. His laboratory work primarily focuses on the Riversleigh World Heritage Area, one of the world's richest fossil sites, where his team continues to uncover new species and refine our understanding of Australia's evolutionary history.