DrRoan Plotz

I bring broad interdisciplinary experience in the environmental sciences to my teaching and research. I am currently studying the escape ecology of mammals in Australia, Sri Lanka, and Africa, which allows us to better understand how humans impact wildlife and develop ways to mitigate harmful impacts. In the Pacific and Australia, I'm also working to enhance climate resilience by working with Indigenous communities to integrate Indigenous Knowledge with contemporary science.

Previously, I worked at Victoria University where I helped develop and implement the new VU Block Model® of teaching for Environmental Science units; I have also served on the Academic Board and was the Course Director (Chair) of the Bachelor of Science Degree. I have also worked at the Bureau of Meteorology, where I led a multi-national Research and Development Program to integrate Indigenous Knowledge with modern climate products across five countries. It is a great honour to still be collaborating on this with partners in the Pacific. Before that I tracked black rhinos on foot for three years in South Africa's Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park to study the interspecific relationships and behaviour of this critically endangered species for my PhD. As an honours student, I studied New Zealand Fur Seals behaviour on Kangaroo Island, South Australia, and have also taught science in high schools here and in the UK, after completing a GradDipEd.

To solve our greatest environmental challenges, we need much greater collaboration between disciplines, which also recognizes and includes Indigenous Knowledge. This has driven my experience in leading multi- and inter-disciplinary environmental science research programs across wildlife and human ecology, Indigenous Knowledge, and climatology. I bring these diverse interdisciplinary perspectives into my teaching and research. I have been fortunate that my work has taken me across Africa, Oceania and South Asia. I am passionate about inspiring students to not only be environmental scientists, but to also use their skills to make a difference in the world.