Stephen Hopper

Roles & Affiliations: Winthrop Professor of Biodiversity at The University of Western Australia (Albany Centre and School of Plant Biology), Adjunct Professorships at UWA and Curtin University, former Director of Royal Botanic Gardens Kew (2006-2012), and Director of Kings Park and Botanic Garden (1992-1999).

Education: BSc (Hons 1st class) in Botany/Zoology (UWA, 1973), PhD in Speciation of Kangaroo Paws (UWA, 1978).

Research Interests: Conservation biology, evolution and ecology of plants on old climatically-buffered infertile landscapes (OCBIL theory), granite outcrop flora, Haemodoraceae (kangaroo paws), eucalypts, and collaborative cross-cultural knowledge systems with Noongar communities. Focus on biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, and integrating Indigenous ecological knowledge into modern management.

Grants & Projects: Current grants include ARC Discovery Indigenous Grant (2020-2024), Lotterywest-funded 'Walking Together' project, and Ian Potter Foundation's PEAT initiative. Active projects include research on OCBIL theory, granite outcrops, and Noongar ecological knowledge.

Awards: Vice-Chancellor's Award for Collaborative Indigenous Research (2024), ARC Discovery Outstanding Researcher Award (2014-2016).

Labs/Teams: Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams at UWA's Albany campus, DBCA, and international partners in biodiversity conservation.