Australia is one of the most biodiverse countries on earth with unique environments that exist nowhere else in the world. However, serious threats such as climate disasters, invasive species and land clearing mean that many of Australia’s environments are at risk of being lost. National and state governments have recognised that we need stronger, clearer and more future-focused laws and policies to address these threats.
Phillipa works at this crucial intersection between conservation science and practical legal reform, helping to design laws and policies that can keep environments safe, now and into the future.
Phillipa’s research focuses on translating biodiversity science into ambitious legal reform to help protect nature. Collaborating with government, scientists and the community, she examines how cutting-edge conservation research can inform new ways of writing, and putting into practice, future-focused nature laws. In particular, her research focuses on embedding climate adaptation strategies into laws and policies such as the new Biodiversity Act 2025 in South Australia.
Phillipa is also passionate about equipping the next generation of scientists to understand how laws – when they are working well – can help nature and people to flourish. In her activities with schools, she works to help students to advocate for better climate education and to help shape the next generation of climate and nature warriors.