Top gong awarded to leading researcher

A Charles Darwin University (CDU) researcher and globally recognised ecologist has been awarded a prestigious medal for his contributions to ecological science. 

Alan Andersen, who is a Professor of Terrestrial Invertebrates at CDU’s Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods, was recognised with the 2024 Ecological Society of Australia (ESA) Gold Medal.

The Gold Medal is awarded to an ESA member who has made a substantial contribution to the study of ecology in Australia. The medal is not always awarded each year.

Professor Andersen’s research focuses on the global economy of ant communities, and applies this knowledge to the use of ants as bioindicators of ecological change. 

“I am really thrilled to receive such a prestigious award,” Professor Andersen said.

“It is a great honour to be recognised by my scientific peers, not just for my scientific achievements but also for helping mentor the next generation of Australian ecologists.

“I have always been fascinated by nature and my research is driven by improving our understanding of it. In my research specialty of the global ecology of ant communities, this is about gaining a predictive understanding globally of ant diversity, behavioural dominance and functional composition in relation to environmental stress and disturbance. 

“My students have been fundamental to my research, and I take my mentoring role very seriously. This is not just helping them become the best scientists they can be, but also the best people.”

Professor Andersen’s extensive career includes being a Chief Research Scientist with CSIRO Land & Water, and Officer-in-Charge of CSIRO’s Tropical Ecosystems Research Centre in Darwin from 1995 to 2016 which he says was a highlight. 

“The team included ecologists, socioecologists, anthropologists, economists, students and support staff with a mission to deliver environmental, social and economic benefits to people who influence, use and manage Australia’s tropical savannas,” Professor Andersen said. 

“We had a particular focus on working with remote Indigenous communities across northern Australia. Another highlight has been having so many wonderful PhD students.

“Ecology is the foundation of effective land management, whether the management is for agricultural production or for biodiversity conservation.  It is particularly important today to help us adapt to a changing climate.”

In 2018 Professor Andersen was the first person from the Northern Territory to be elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science. He was also nominated for Northern Territory Australian of the Year in 2024. 

In December, Professor Andersen will present a plenary lecture at the ESA 2024 conference in Melbourne.