Kate Cranney
Hub Communications Manager, The University of Western Australia
kate.cranney@uwa.edu.au
Bio
- Kate is a science communicator. She has a background in science, environmental law, field ecology, and fine art. She has a keen interest in translating complex ideas into engaging stories.
- For the last 15 years, Kate has worked as a science communicator with research groups, Indigenous ranger programs, not-for-profits and government agencies. Before NESP, she was a science communicator with CSIRO for 4 years. In this role, she wrote and edited stories, ran communications and media campaigns, and created short films about the research done by more than 800 scientists around Australia.
- Kate has also worked with Sea Country Solutions on their Cocos (Keeling) and Christmas Islands work, with the Torres Strait Indigenous Ranger Program (based on Waiben, or Thursday Island), with The Nature Conservancy in Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea, and with Bush Heritage Australia, RMIT University, University of Melbourne, and the Queensland Government. She has climbed 80-metre trees in Borneo, scaled volcanoes in PNG and pulled snakes from pitfall traps in the Simpson Desert … all in the pursuit of a good story!
Current academic employment and position
- Communications Manager, The University of Western Australia.
Highest qualification
- 2016: Master of Science (MSc) with Distinction, University of Melbourne.
Links with non-government groups or networks
- 2020–current: Member of Australian Science Communicators.
What are your interests as they relate to resilient landscapes?
- Kate believes science should be relevant, accessible and engaging. As the hub’s Communications Manager, she will share the researchers’ findings with key decision-makers and the public. Kate’s work focuses on synthesising research, creatively promoting these findings, and connecting people and ideas for positive, lasting impact.
What do you love about working in Australian landscapes?
- I have a soft spot for hardy desert plants, freshwater fish, deep sea creatures and all manner of insects. I grew up on an isolated sheep and cattle property outside of Goondiwindi and it’s given me a real love for working with people on Country – from remote landscapes to our biggest cities.
