ILWS Postgraduate StudentsSamantha Strong

Much of the important research carried out by the Institute is undertaken by post graduate students under the supervision of Institute researchers. In some cases, their co-supervisors may be from other universities, natural resource management agencies, industry, Government and non-government organisations, or other research institutions.

PhD Scholarship Opportunities: For details on how to apply for an an ILWS PhD Scholarship Read More

Current Postgraduate Student List / PhD Graduates

ILWS PhD scholarship recipients

Currently the Institute has 7 PhD students who are the recipients of ILWS scholarships. Of these, five are working in three of ILWS's strategic research areas.

Samantha Strong started her PhD in February 2013 under principal supervisor Dr Catherine Allan. For her PhD she intends to study the discourse around the 2009 bushfires in Victoria and the woody regeneration that has occurred since. Sam will be a member of the Institute’s Woody Regrowth in Regional Landscapes SRA.

Saideepa Kumar started her PhD in April 2012. She will be supervised by Professor Allan Curtis (principal), Dr Emily Mendham and Dr Wendy Merritt, ANU. Her PhD will examine some as yet to be determined aspects of how key stakeholders develop condition targets for environmental assets and how those might be considered as part of environmental modelling that attempts to optimise outcomes from the application of environmental water. Deepa's research will be part of a National Centre for Groundwater Research and Training (NCGRT) project examining the application of environmental water to wetlands in the Lachlan catchment. 

Abbie Spiers began her PhD in July 2011, with supervisors Prof Max Finlayson and Dr Rosy Black. Her topic is 'An exploration of community perceptions about wetland health in New Zealand'.

Manu Saunders began her PhD in March 2010 under principal supervisor A/Prof Gary Luck. Manu will be looking at conventional broadacre monocultures which are increasing in size and impacting biodiversity and natural systems more than ever before. Her research will consider if the future of agriculture lies in sustainable, small-scale farming and localised production systems.

Wayne Deans who is supervised by Dr Digby Race, Institute adjunct Barney Foran and Dr Mark Howden (Chief Research Scientist, CSIRO Climate Adaptation Flagship) began his PhD in February, 2010. His topic is "Building Australia's Future Landscapes: Locating the social-environmental nexus of farm forestry."

Jane Roots who started in 2008, is supervised by Dr Joanne Millar and Dr Rik Thwaites, is researching 'Integrating community and landscape values for planning multifunctional rural landscapes' . Her research is focused on Indigo Shire in North-East Victoria where she is working closely with planners, councillors and community groups.

Graduates

Anna Lukasiewicz, was supervised by Dr Penny Davidson, Prof Kath Bowmer and CSIROs Dr Geoff Syme, and commenced her PhD in 2008. Her thesis topic was "Lost in translation: where is the social justice in Australian water reform?" . Anna graduated in 2012

Maggie Watson, whose supervisors were A/Prof Shane Raidal, Dr Tiggy Grillo (both from CSU's School of Animal and Veterinary Science) and Prof Nick Klomp, commenced her PhD in September 2007. For her research project Maggie looked at the effects of parasites and stress from eco-tourism on the reproductive performance of seabirds. Her topic was " Effects of parasites on the Crested Tern Thalasseus bergii ". Maggie graduated in 2012

Sylvia Zukowski was the recipient of the inaugural Integration Program scholarship and commenced her PhD in May 2007 and was superivsed by A/Prof Robyn Watts, and Prof Allan Curtis. Her interdisciplinary research project combined ecological and social research and her topic was "What information is required for sustainable recreational freshwater fishery regulations in Australia ?" Sylvia graduated in 2012.