Professor Kerrie Wilson appointed Queensland's Chief Scientist

One of Australia’s leading researchers into the science, strategy and policy of conservation, Professor Kerrie Wilson, has been appointed Queensland’s next Chief Scientist.

The five-year appointment will see Wilson take over from interim Chief Scientist Professor Bronwyn Harch, who took up the role in October 2022 following the retirement of former Queensland Chief Scientist Professor Hugh Possingham. Wilson was selected as Harch’s successor after a robust executive search and recruitment process.

Wilson, who will commence her new role in November, is currently the Queensland University of Technology’s (QUT) Pro Vice-Chancellor (Sustainability and Research Integrity) and was formerly the Executive Director of QUT’s Institute for Future Environments. She plans to remain at QUT in a part-time capacity.

Before joining QUT in 2019, she was the Director of the Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions and an ARC Future Fellow at The University of Queensland (UQ). She is an Affiliated Professor in Conservation Science at The University of Copenhagen and member of the Australian Heritage Council, and was previously a member of the Reef 2050 Plan Independent Expert Panel.

Wilson has held leadership positions including Director of Conservation for The Nature Conservancy Australia and the Australian Natural Sciences Commissioner for UNESCO. She has received numerous awards, including the Prime Minister’s Prize for Life Scientist of the Year, the Australian Academy of Science Nancy Millis Medal for Women in Science, two ARC Research Fellowships and an Australian Museum Eureka Prize for Outstanding Young Researcher.

She holds a Bachelor in Environmental Science (First Class Honours) from UQ and a PhD from The University of Melbourne, undertaken in collaboration with the UN Environment Programme’s World Conservation Monitoring Centre, based in Cambridge.

“I congratulate Professor Wilson on her appointment and look forward to welcoming her to the position in November,” said Queensland’s Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef and Minister for Science, Leanne Linard, who announced Wilson’s appointment during a Parliamentary Estimates hearing last week.

“Professor Wilson has had a distinguished career in leadership positions with some of our most respected scientific institutions and, as a reputable environmental researcher, makes an ideal appointment as our Chief Scientist.

“As Queensland continues to respond to the threat of climate change and its impact on our environment and wider society, Professor Wilson’s knowledge and experience will be key.

“Her work in ecosystem services and biodiversity conservation, conservation in production landscapes, and conservation decision-making in socio-ecological systems, will also play a key role in helping Queensland achieve the best outcomes in these areas.

“As Chief Scientist, her expertise and track record in driving collaboration with national and international stakeholders will ensure Queensland remains at the forefront of science.”

Wilson said she was “delighted” to take up the role of Chief Scientist, praising Queensland’s “leading-edge scientific strengths across the many fields of science, and our outstanding strengths in both fundamental and applied research”.

“Our collaborations with many national and international scientific organisations, dealing with global issues such as sustainability, renewable energy, and combating the effects of climate change, will deliver benefits on a local, national and international level,” she said.

“I am determined that as Queensland Chief Scientist I will play a significant role in building Queensland’s reputation for leading science that delivers solutions to local and global issues.”