Dr. Kirstie Fryirs

Biography

Kirstie's work focuses on fluvial geomorphology and river management, exploring the structure and function of rivers, their adjustments and evolution under anthropogenic disturbance, and the application of geomorphology for river conservation, recovery, and rehabilitation. She studies catchment sediment budgets, connectivity within river catchments, and responses to future disturbances such as floods and droughts. Known for co-developing the River Styles Framework, a geomorphic approach that analyzes rivers by assessing their type, behavior, physical condition, and recovery potential, Kirstie's work is foundational in developing decision support systems for river management practices and has gained international uptake across six continents. Her strong collaborations within academia and industry span multi-disciplinary teams that include ecologists, hydrologists, social scientists, and local practitioners. Kirstie has conducted research in Antarctica and published over 150 journal articles alongside co-authored and co-edited books, contributing significantly to the field of river management. She has received several awards for teaching and research excellence, and holds the title of Certified Environmental Practitioner in geomorphology from the Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand. Additionally, she is active in training programs and has supervised numerous PhD, Masters, and Honours students across various research topics related to geomorphological changes and river management.

Research Interests

Experience

Awards