Dr. Lesley Hughes

Biography

Lesley Hughes is a distinguished professor at Macquarie University and an acclaimed ecologist known for her significant contributions to the understanding of climate change and its impacts on species and ecosystems. She has served as the Interim Executive Dean of the Faculty of Science and Engineering and has played a pivotal role in various environmental organizations. Hughes was a lead author for both the Fourth and Fifth Assessment Reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and served as a federal Climate Commissioner in Australia. Her expertise has been recognized through memberships on advisory panels, including the Climate Science Knowledge Management Experts Panel and the Earth System Science Panel. Hughes' academic background includes a PhD in Ecology from Macquarie University, focusing on seed dispersal by ants in dry sclerophyll vegetation. She has held various influential positions, contributing to key initiatives in climate science and conservation. Her awards include the BHERT Award for Outstanding Collaboration and the Eureka Prize for Promoting Understanding of Australian Science Research. Through her research, she continues to advocate for biodiversity conservation and sustainable practices amidst changing climate conditions.

Research Interests

Experience