From crocs to cotton, RIEL conference shows off budding researchers

Poo swabs for sharks, laser-based forest management, and nature-based job opportunities were among the studies recently highlighted during a showcase of work by some of Charles Darwin University’s (CDU) academics.

The Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods (RIEL) annual conference this year put the spotlight on early career researchers and invited 14 academics to present their work. 

The conference covered four key areas of research: ecology and conservation, water and carbon, ecosystem management and monitoring, and even tried to settle the age-old “shark versus croc” debate.

RIEL Director Professor Sam Banks said the conference focused on early career researchers to spotlight a cohort that brings new ideas, perspectives, and skills to both CDU and the NT more broadly. 

“It's a great opportunity to give them a platform to show what they do and also to help them make new connections and collaborations to help develop their own careers,” Professor Banks said.

“It's a diverse group at the moment and the talks covered everything from cotton to crocodiles, fire management and the latest technology for environmental monitoring. 

“We had number of new guests at the conference so it was definitely a worthwhile way to let people know what we do.”

Professor Banks said the annual conference originally launched as an academic version of the office Christmas party and had since grown into an opportunity to network and showcase the community, industry, and government engagement involved in university research.