Professor Watson wins Inspiring Ecology Teaching Award

Charles Sturt strengthened student understanding of ecological systems through the research-led teaching of Professor David Watson, whose work was recognised with the 2025 ESA–UNSW Inspiring Ecology Teaching Award. He integrates his active research program into learning experiences during an 18-day fieldtrip to the outback, a trip he has been leading for the past 24 years. By embedding long-running research projects and collaborations within the curriculum, students learn by doing while contributing to globally relevant research. Annual bird surveys along four desert creek-lines formed the basis of an acoustic monitoring trial, comparing conventional bird surveys with long duration recordings from autonomous sensors installed on each creek. This trial was scaled up to 360 sensors comprising the Australian Acoustic Observatory, using sound to track environmental health across the continent.

The award recognises his contribution to ecology education through research-informed teaching, advancing understanding of ecosystems and biodiversity.