Vanessa Westcott

Vanessa Westcott is a Research Fellow at Curtin University, based at the Curtin Perth campus. She is affiliated with the School of Molecular and Life Sciences (MLS) within the Faculty of Science and Engineering. She also holds a portfolio role in the Office of the Provost. Her research focuses on ecological dynamics, particularly in fire-prone shrubland ecosystems, invasive species management, and climate change impacts. She has contributed to studies on plant resilience, fire behavior, and biodiversity conservation.

Her publications span topics such as feral cat control strategies, fire regime effects on plant communities, and fuel accumulation patterns. Notably, she co-authored the 2023 book Birriliburu Bush Tucker, exploring Indigenous botanical knowledge. Her work integrates field experiments, ecological modeling, and collaborative research with Indigenous communities.

Vanessa’s research emphasizes practical applications for conservation and land management, particularly in Mediterranean-type and semiarid ecosystems. Her studies have been published in journals like Wildlife Research, Journal of Ecology, and International Journal of Wildland Fire.