DrKaori Yokochi

My research focuses on finding ways for humans and wildlife to not just co-exist, but thrive together in our towns and cities, and my expanding research interests include urban ecology, road ecology, light pollution, mammalian escape behaviour and rodenticide impacts on wildlife. I investigate how humans, infrastructure and pollutants (e.g. light pollution, rodenticides) impact wildlife and finding ways to mitigate these impacts. I am also passionate about strengthening positive relationships between people and their local wildlife as this will lead to the community’s deeper connection to and appreciation of nature, a critical foundation of effective wildlife conservation. I am particularly passionate about increasing awareness and appreciations for our amazing bats – a group of animals that are critical to ecosystems and human society, yet commonly misunderstood and prosecuted.

Research in urban ecology and wildlife conservation achieves its greatest impact when it is communicated beyond academia and applied to policy and management. As many conservation challenges require changes in public attitudes and behaviours, community engagement is a central component of my research. I place a great weight on communicating my research and other relevant research in multiple, accessible outlets, including public seminars, media appearances, podcasts, educational resources, and popular science/news articles.

I genuinely enjoy building and maintaining collaborative relationships with a wide range of groups and aim to have my research applied in management and policy. My collaborative network spans universities within Australia and internationally, multiple levels of governments, NGOs, industry and community organisations. I am open to working towards shared goals with many organisations, so please feel free to reach out.  

My research experience include:  

• Wildlife Conservation and Management
• Urban Ecology
• Road Ecology
• Light/ noise pollution
• Behavioural Ecology
• Ecotoxicology
• Conservation Genetics
• Environmental Education