The Ecological Society of Australia congratulates Professor Kristine French on being awarded the 2021 ESA Gold Medal. Professor French is the Director of the Janet Cosh Herbarium at the University of Wollongong and led the Ecological Society of Australia in the roles of Vice President and President.

“My career has never focused on one area; it has had many facets,” said Professor French.

“My PhD supervisor used to tell me I would have a problem with focusing on a single line of research and that is still the same 30 years later!”

That broad curiosity has forged a 25-year career investigating environmental weeds, threatened species, urban ecology and plant stress; in fact understanding how disturbances of all kinds influence species and ecosystems. Through her early work with urban birds Professor French noticed that they were helping to disperse the seeds of many environmental weeds.

“I started asking questions about how weeds overtake, take control, how to control them and it built into something broader,” said Professor French. Linkages with researchers from many different fields has forged new questions – and new answers.

Her research has had a significant impact at state and national levels of government, with her expertise being sought in the management strategies for species such as lantana, bitou bush and invasive grasses and vines. Among other roles, she has served as part of the ARC College of Experts, on the Advisory Panel of the Australian Centre for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis, and on the Australian Academy of Science National Committee for Ecology, Evolution and Conservation. She helped to lead the national Birds in Backyards program which was awarded the 2008 Eureka Prize for Environmental Sustainability Education.

“The relationships that I have built with the state government weeds groups in the Department of Primary Industries and National Parks have brought me great satisfaction,” said Professor French.

“I enjoy working with them to provide the ecological research to support their management decisions to build better ways of controlling weeds.”

Through her leadership roles at the University of Wollongong and the Ecological Society of Australia, Professor French has had a substantial influence on generations of ecologists. She has taught thousands of students, instilling in them a love and appreciation of ecology, and training many into careers as conservation scientists. Many have moved into leading government or research positions, including CSIRO, NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, Royal Botanic Gardens, as well as universities and environmental NGOs.

“I find it really satisfying that students who have undertaken research in my lab have contributed to finding answers but have also have gone on to do good things with their skills,” she said.

Professor French has been a member of the Ecological Society of Australia since 1985 and has served in a number of roles including NSW Councillor (1990-1994), Vice President (2000-2007), and President (2011-2013). She brought energy and enthusiasm to these roles and was awarded the ESA Prize for Service to the Society. While President, she built the framework for transforming ESA from a small-scale organization to one that is underpinned by a strong constitution and a resilient financial strategy to ensure sustainability. She also led a significant collaboration between the ESA, the Australian Academy of Science and the Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network to develop a Decadal Plan for Ecosystem Science, which resulted in a strategic document, launched by the Chief Scientist, which identified future directions designed to stabilise and develop Australian ecosystem science.

Despite her achievements, Professor French remains modest.

“Being judged by my peers as being worthy of this award is really humbling,” said Professor French.

“I often feel that there are many people who have made magnificent contributions to ecology so it’s nice when someone says you’ve done that too.”

“But I do like feeling like I’m doing something for the world that is positive and contributing my science to help solve environmental issues.”