About Professor Hugh Possingham<\/strong><\/p>\nProfessor Possingham is one of Australia\u2019s most distinguished scientists and conversationalists. He\u00a0served as\u00a0Queensland Chief Scientist between\u00a02020 to\u00a02022 and\u00a0has held numerous academic,\u00a0public sector and not-for-profit\u00a0positions.\u00a0He has an encyclopaedic knowledge of local native bird activity, having carried out counts throughout surrounding habitat over many years<\/p>\n
He was\u00a0Professor of Mathematics and Ecology at the University of Queensland and was the founding director of the Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science. He is best\u00a0known for his work in the field of conservation planning and decision-making, particularly in the use of mathematical models to determine the most effective and efficient ways to conserve biodiversity.<\/p>\n
A winner of two Eureka Prizes, his most significant contribution to conservation was the co-development of Marxan, software first used to rezone the Great Barrier Reef, and now used in almost every country in the world to inform the expansion of their marine and terrestrial protected area systems.\u00a0He has also been active in conservation efforts outside of academia, serving as a consultant to organizations such as the World Wildlife Fund and the Nature Conservancy.<\/p>\n\n\t\t