Solve global challenges
Through research, and research-led teaching, we build and develop the knowledge and capabilities that improve lives and enhance society as a whole.
Your gift can help support our projects, which are finding practical solutions to real-world challenges and create hope for a better future.
Committed to conservation:
Sleepy Lizard Research
Professor Mike Gardner leads the longest-running sleepy lizard study in the Southern Hemisphere.
First conducted in 1982 by the late Professor Mike Bull, the annual survey at Bundy Bore in the mid-north of South Australia continues to generate valuable insights into host-parasite interactions, lizard personality, and the fascinating dynamics of pair bonding.
This important work also provides our undergraduate science students with an exceptional hands-on research experience. Their involvement in the field builds critical skills while directly contributing to meaningful conservation outcomes.
“The value of long-term ecological data cannot be underestimated,” says Professor Gardner. “It’s thanks to the continuity of the research that we are better equipped to understand and predict how variations in seasons and weather systems, such as the current drought, affects these native reptiles.”
In response to the growing concern of illegal poaching, Professor Gardner has partnered with Wildlife Crime Research Hub. This exciting new initiative will develop tools to trace the geographic origins of trafficked lizards and help law enforcement detect wildlife smuggling – particularly the endangered pygmy bluetongue.
You can ensure the continuity of this significant conservation work by making a tax-deductible donation.
Dr Emily Fobert, Impact Seed Funding for Early Career Researcher grant recipient, and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Rob Saint
Supporting early career researchers to tackle global challenges
Flinders research is changing the world for the better and we recognise the contribution which our Early Career Researchers (ECRs) make to our University and the community as thought leaders.
The Research Fund (Early Career Research) was established to retain, attract and support those early in their career demonstrating outstanding research calibre and potential, and whose ground-breaking work has the potential to make a difference.
The Impact Seed Funding for Early Career Researchers program provides an opportunity for ECRs to facilitate their own research, mature their leadership capabilities and build their reputation both as a supervisor and a researcher. This investment may represent a researcher’s first independent research funding and provide a springboard to larger projects and grant opportunities. The seed funding creates opportunities to showcase research on the international stage or form collaborative partnerships with industry and government stakeholders.
Through the support of the community the Impact Seed Funding for Early Career Researchers program has funded almost 30 emerging researchers over the past three years. Each recipient accessing up to $10,000 to support brave new research that has the potential to create positive change within our community.
Your support creates new opportunities for Flinders early career researchers to carve their unique research pathways, build international collaborations, and make new discoveries that can change lives.
Saving Nemo at the heart of Flinders conservation program
Over 1 million individuals from the clownfish family (Pomacentridae) are taken from the reef every year for the aquarium trade. In some areas they are now going extinct from over-collection and coral bleaching. The good news is that clownfish breed easily in nurseries unlike Regal Blue Tangs (Dory) where 100% are still being taken from the wild.
Our solution is to supply aquarium stores with nursery bred fish, to educate consumers and to lead scientific research focussed on conservation.
The Saving Nemo Research aims to support sustainable fisheries, conservation and aquaculture innovation research to protect tropical marine aquarium species.
Flinders’ School of Biological Sciences’ conservation expert, Associate Professor Karen Burke da Silva, is leading a team of researchers conducting innovative techniques to improve breeding success and survival of clownfish bred in captivity to supply the Australian market. With your help we can protect marine aquarium species for future generations.
Read more about the conservation program.
Sturt Rd, Bedford Park
South Australia 5042
South Australia | Northern Territory
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