Saul Cunningham

Professor Saul Cunningham serves as the Director of the Fenner School of Environment & Society at the Australian National University (ANU), a position he has held since 2017. With a distinguished career spanning over 25 years in ecological research, he previously spent 17 years at CSIRO where he developed extensive expertise in agricultural landscape ecology and biodiversity conservation. His leadership extends to multiple research initiatives focused on pollination ecology and sustainable land management practices.

• B.Sc. Hons (Zoology) from Monash University
• Ph.D. (Ecology) from University of Connecticut, USA

Professor Cunningham's research centers on the critical intersection between agricultural production and biodiversity conservation. His work investigates how farming landscapes can be managed to support both agricultural output and ecological integrity, with particular emphasis on crop pollination systems. He examines fundamental determinants of biodiversity, ecological restoration methods, and farm productivity management practices. His research spans from specific field studies of pollinator communities to large-scale analyses of land use impacts on ecosystem services, providing practical insights for sustainable agricultural development.

His recent publications reveal a strong focus on pollinator ecology across diverse contexts - from urban environments to agricultural landscapes and alpine ecosystems. The research demonstrates increasing attention to the impacts of land use change, climate factors, and habitat fragmentation on pollinator communities. His work combines field observations with sophisticated analytical approaches, including large-scale collaborative projects like CropPol and AusTraits, reflecting a commitment to generating practical, evidence-based solutions for conservation challenges.

• Australian Ecology Research Award from the Ecological Society of Australia (2015)
• Significant contributor to the Intergovernmental Platform for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) Assessment Report on Pollination and Food Production (2016)

Professor Cunningham leads multiple research projects including 'Pollinator pathways: GPS insights into honeyeater migration and habitat use,' 'Understanding snow gum dieback for effective and integrated management,' and 'Macadamia pollination gap analysis and industry opportunities.' His collaborative approach is evident in the extensive co-authorship networks across his publications, working with researchers from numerous institutions worldwide. His research funding supports field studies, data collection efforts, and interdisciplinary collaborations addressing critical environmental challenges.

His work involves close collaboration with the Mulligans Flat - Goorooyarroo Woodland Experiment, a long-term ecological research site that serves as a living laboratory for restoration ecology and biodiversity conservation. This partnership enables experimental approaches to understanding ecosystem processes and testing management interventions in a controlled yet realistic setting.