Filling global gaps in knowledge and safeguarding K’gari’s future
One of a few university-operated field stations worldwide located on a UNESCO World Heritage site, within a biosphere.
The research station is a central part of UniSC’s commitment to increase understanding and protection of K’gari’s unique geology, ecology and exceptional Butchulla culture.
For tens of thousands of years, K’gari has been a place for learning and the sharing of wisdom. UniSC continues that tradition, guided by the Island’s first custodians.
Latest research
Discover the latest research by UniSC on K'gari, including new insights and understanding on the Island's Wongari (dingo) populations, fire recovery and the impact of four wheel drive traffic.
Professor John Herbohn
Director, Tropical Forests and People Research Centre, Professor of Tropical Forestry
Research areas include Restoration and Dynamics of Tropical Forests; Forestry Economics; Tropical Mixed Species Plantations; Socioeconomic Aspects of Tropical Reforestation; Hydrological and Nutrient Impacts of Reforestation; Smallscale and Community Forestry; Carbon Dynamics in Tropical Forests; Climate Change Policy and Forests; Multidimensional Reporting Systems; and Management of Tropical Forests.
Dr Gabriel Conroy
Post-doctoral Research Officer and Lecturer
Research and teaching areas include ecological genetics; conservation biology; field ecology; fire ecology; and population viability analysis and dynamic simulation modelling. Gabriel’s research includes the ecological and evolutionary genetics of threatened animal taxa, and has several projects underway relating to the dingo population.
Dr Vikki Schaffer
Lecturer, Tourism, Leisure and Events
Research areas include regional tourism and events; marinerelated tourism; artificial reefs, whale tourism; sustainable tourism (environmental, economic and social value); social media in industry, teaching and research; work integrated learning and visualisation in learning; social sustainability – social capital; leadership and mentoring.
Professor Thomas Schlacher
Professor, Marine Science
Research areas include ecology of ocean beaches; conservation of sandy shore ecosystems; deepsea biology; the ecology of ecological interfaces; trophic linkages and food web; environmental metrics; the ecology of scavengers; connectivity and cross-system coupling; seamounts and submarine canyons; connectivity and seascapes; and environmental fingerprints of sewage in coastal waters.
Dr Clare Archer Lean
Lecturer, English
Research includes Indigenous literature; Australian literature; Canadian literature; post-colonial literature; cross-cultural studies; eco-criticism; human animal studies. A recent project investigated how various stakeholders and the public value and expect to interact with the Island’s dingoes.
Dr Kim Walker
Adjunct Associate Professor, Environmental Education
Dr Walker is actively involved in the promotion of K’gari for research and education. Achievements include the establishment of a Research Archive, Synthesis paper of K’gari research (draft), K’gari Symposium (2018), and K’gari-Fraser Island Mobile App.
Dr Glyn Thomas
Senior Lecturer, Recreation and Outdoor
Environmental Studies
Research areas include outdoor environmental education; facilitation and facilitator education; experiential education; and fieldwork pedagogies.