Dr Eleanor Velasquez

Researcher biography

I am a dedicated advocate for education, scientific communication, and research, utilising the power of storytelling to make scientific knowledge accessible to all. I have experience in ecological research, theatre, policy development, community consultation, educational theory and practice, and university and school teaching. As a registered teacher and former lecturer at Griffith University and Queensland University of Technology, I have a deep commitment to fostering learning and understanding.

My diverse research interests include the conservation of critically endangered urban forests, recreational use of urban green spaces, forest responses to wildfires, marine dispersal and connectivity, exploring the intersection of art and science, educational outreach, and data synthesis challenges and opportunities. I have represented Australia nationally at the world-renowned science communication competition FameLab, been interviewed by ABC radio's Dr. Ann Jones in her science communication programs 'Offtrack' and 'What the Duck', featured on History Channel's 'Coast Australia' with Professor Tim Flannery, and featured in the 'Back from the Brink' nature documentary series.

Currently, I am collaborating on the Forest Art Intelligence (FAI) Project, an innovative research project and artwork integrating art practice with forest regeneration at the Samford Ecological Research Facility. This work positions regenerating woodland as a 'meta-artwork' embedded with evolving Art Intelligences, challenging traditional conservation narratives by emphasising non-human agency and the interconnectedness of ecological and cultural systems. Before embarking on my PhD, I spent a decade shaping environmental policy, programs, and legislation within Queensland's state and local governments. Outside of my professional life, I am a devoted mother, enthusiastic diver, avid bushwalker, birdwatcher, and artist.