If you were at the ESA conference in Darwin earlier this year, you may have noticed a figure at the back of the room or discreetly tucked to one side, sketching with focus on a small electronic tablet. Chances are this was Dr Maggie Watson, senior lecturer at Charles Sturt University – ornithologist, mentor, valued colleague and talented cartoonist. She has cartooned her way through each conference she has attended since 2017, uploading the resulting artwork to social media.

“It started as a bit of fun as part of live-tweeting conferences,” she says. “I’d see how effective illustrations are at spreading the word. It’s a fun way to communicate science.”

For her efforts at ESA2023 she was presented with a newly-minted conference award: the ‘Above and Beyond’ Commendation for an Unexpected Contribution to the Conference.

We are pleased to share her ESA2023 illustrations below. Click on an image to see a larger version.