We are very pleased to introduce Dr Andrew Knight as the new Editor-in-Chief of Ecological Management & Restoration.

Following completion of a BSc (Honours) in geomorphology from Macquarie University in 1994, Andrew worked for several years as a conservation planner with the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service identifying areas for expansion of the State Reserve System using early computer-based techniques. He subsequently completed a PhD in South Africa, in which he investigated the human and social dimensions of a systematic conservation planning initiative overseen by The World Bank.

He has held academic positions at Rhodes University and the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa and also Imperial College London. He was the Assistant Director of Biodiversity and Conservation Science at the Western Australian Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions in 2020 and was recently appointed Associate Professor in the School of Molecular and Life Sciences at Curtin University.

Andrew has published extensively on spatial conservation prioritisation and, over the last decade, how human decision-making impacts the effectiveness of conservation initiatives. He has extensive international experience in scientific publishing, having been on the Editorial Boards of Biological Reviews, Conservation Letters, Conservation Science and Practice and Diversity and Distributions. He was Editor-in-Chief of Conservation Letters from 2013 to 2015 and co-lead the transition of the journal to Open Access format.

“I am a firm believer in the essential importance of grass-roots conservation and restoration initiatives melding with world-class applied research to deliver tangible outcomes,” said Dr Knight.

“I’m thrilled with being able to continue EMR’s history of fostering excellence in ecological science and practice. Tein and I have been working closely to ensure a smooth transition – thanks for your stewardship of the journal and for your insights and support, Tein!”

The Ecological Society of Australia would like to extend our sincere thanks to outgoing Editor Tein McDonald and Chair Pep Turner for the enormous amount of time and effort they have dedicated to Ecological Management & Restoration. Their commitment to excellence has resulted in a journal that is not only impactful and relevant, but respected within the scientific community.