Dr Caragh Threlfall 

Australian Discovery Early Career Research Fellow & Senior Lecturer

School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University

Email: caragh.threlfall AT mq.edu.au

 

Area of Research

I use interdisciplinary approaches to address the problem of human impacts on the urban environment.  My research examines how cities shape interactions between plants, animals and people. I combine the ecological, spatial, and social sciences, and partner with governments to co-develop environmental solutions to the ongoing challenges posed by urbanisation.

Areas of current research interest: Urban biodiversity, urban planning and design, social-ecological interdisciplinary studies, landscape ecology, ecology and conservation of insectivorous bats, vertebrate & invertebrate field survey techniques.

 

Education

2012     PhD in Biological Sciences, University of New South Wales, Australia

2006    Bachelor of Environmental Science (Honours Class 1) Advanced, University of Wollongong, Australia

 

Research and Industry Funding

Threlfall, C.G. ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award ‘Success and the city: biodiversity responses in urban environments’ 2020-2022, $425,000

Threlfall, C.G. Paddy Pallin Foundation Science Award, awarded for my project “Who benefits from resource supplementation in urban landscapes” the Royal Zoological Society of NSW $7000, 2017

Williams,N.S.G, Rayner, J, Threlfall. C.G Streetscape biodiversity planting guide. City of Melbourne. $55 000, 2017-2018

Davies, P., Corkery, L., Nipperess, D., Barnett, G., Bishop, M., Hochuli, D., Hose, G., Lin, B., Keane, A., Osmond, P., Staas, L., Threlfall, C.G, & Wilkinson, S. Urban Ecology Renewal Investigation Project. New South Wales Environmental Trust. $250 000, 2016-2017

Livesley, Kendal, Threlfall, van der Ree, Davern, Hochuli, Fuller. Managing urban trees for people and wildlife, ARC Linkage Grant (LP160100780) $320 000, 2016-2019

Williams, N.S.G, Threlfall C.G, Walker, K. Understanding and enhancing urban pollinator biodiversity via wildlife gardening and citizen scientists, McCoy Seed Funding, Museum Victoria $19,795 2015 - 2016

Kendal, McDonnell, Livesley, van der Ree, Davern, Threlfall, Hughes, Cook, Taylor. Managing urban trees as keystone structures in the social and ecological fabric of cities, Melbourne Sustainability Society Institute $6,000 2014-2015

Williams, N.S.G, Threlfall C.G. Understanding pollination services and plant reproductive success in remnant and revegetated urban parks. Parks Victoria $10,810 2014-2015

Threlfall, C.G., Williams, N.S.G., van der Ree, R., Livesley, S.J., and Harrison, L. Bushland and Urban Biodiversity in a Changing Climate. The City of Boroondarra. $50,000 2014-2015

 Threlfall, C.G. Bat and bird biodiversity controls insect pests in urban landscapes. University of Melbourne Early Career Researcher Grant $39,228 2013-2014

 Threlfall, C. G., Law, B. & Banks, P. B. Microbat diversity in urban landscapes: mechanisms influencing regional persistence: Australian Geographic Society: $2,300 2009

 Threlfall, C. G. Microbat diversity in urban landscapes: mechanisms influencing regional persistence: Jill Landsberg Trust Fund, Ecological Society of Australia: $6,000 2008

 

Research & Professional Experience

2023 - Senior Lecturer - Macquarie University 0.8 FTE

2020 - 2022 - DECRA Fellow - The University of Sydney 0.6 FTE

2016 - 2020  Project Leader, Shared Urban Habitat, Clean Air & Urban Landscapes Hub, National Environmental Science Program 0.6 FTE

2015 - 2016    Biodiversity Research Officer – NSW Department of Primary Industries 0.8 FTE

2015 - 2016    Research Associate – The University of Sydney 0.2 FTE

2012 - 2015    Research Fellow - Dept Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne. The Green Infrastructure Research Group (thegirg.org)

2014 - 2016    Urban Ecologist – Australian Research Centre for Urban Ecology, Royal Botanic Gardens                 Melbourne  (part-time role)

2014               Urban Ecologist - City of Melbourne, Urban Landscapes Team  (part-time role)

2006 - 2009  Ecological Consultant, Total Earth Care Pty Ltd

 

Teaching Experience

Lecturer and Subject Co-ordinator – The University of Melbourne, Dept of Resource Management and Geography 2013

  • Ecology of Urban Landscapes, 3rd Yr Undergraduate.

  • Plants in the Urban Environment, 1st Yr Masters.

Additionally, I have developed lectures and case studies for:

  • Managing Urban Landscapes – Capstone subject in a coursework Masters

  • Ecology, Soils and Plants - 1st Yr Associate Degree

  • Climate Change II – 2nd Yr Undergraduate

  • National School of Parks Management - Professional Certificate