Jennifer Firn
QUT

Jennifer Firn photo

Professor Jennifer Firn

Professor of restoration ecology, School of Biology and Environmental Science, QUT

See Professor Firn’s full research profile here.

Research outputs linked to policy change and decision-making

Professor Firn is an applied plant ecologist who is committed to discovering in collaboration with local people how the loss of native biodiversity impacts on ecosystem function and subsequently finding improved practices to build more resilient landscapes. Professor Firn’s research has focused on finding ways to control invasive grass species such as African lovegrass and buffel grass; and restoring forest ecosystems including critically endangered ecosystems such as Melaleuca irbyana thickets and ecosystem-level impacts of the invasive pathogen myrtle rust.

Professor Firn’s research, together with collaborators and students, employs a diverse set of tools including empirical and observational studies, and expert and local knowledge elicitation. She works collaboratively with a range of stakeholders including the Tjuwanpa Women Rangers, the Bunya Peoples Aboriginal Corporation, the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Logan City Council, NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, South East Local Land Services and Far South Coast Landcare, NSW.

Current academic employment and positions

  • professor in ecology, QUT.

Highest qualification

  • 2009: PhD, ecology, The University of Queensland and CSIRO top-up stipend.

Major prizes, medals and honours

  • 2017: David Gardner’s Teacher of the Year Award (QUT) and VC’s Award for Excellence
  • 2015: VC’s Award for Excellence in research and learning and teaching (QUT)
  • 2015: Australian Office of Learning and Teaching National Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning
  • 2013: Women in Technology, Rising Start Award
  • 2007: Science and Innovation Grant for Young People Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

Roles on government or regional organisation committees

  • Professor Firn is vice-president for the Australian Flora Foundation and a member of the national environmental biosecurity advisory group as the Ecological Society of Australia representative.

My Projects

Current projectCompleted project
NESP RLH, 2021-2027NESP, 2015-2021NERP, 2012-2015TRaCK, 2005-present

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