Name
Pam Clunie
Title
Senior Communication and Engagement Officer, Applied Aquatic Ecology Section, Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research (ARI)
Qualifications
BSc (Hons), Grad Dipl Horticulture, Grad Dipl Editing and Publishing
How long have you worked at ARI?
24 years (but 33 years all up in DELWP – including working in two regions, head office and then ARI).
What do you love about working in science?
I love everything related to conserving and valuing the environment, and using science to improve our understanding of how best to manage and protect the environment.
What is the most interesting thing you have worked on at ARI?
I love everything about our threatened Freshwater Catfish Tandanus tandanus – they are so interesting, different and full of character. The males build and maintain amazing nests. I love that over the last 20 years we’ve built up a much better understanding of them, and many other fish species, and how to improve management of rivers to benefit them.
Why does science matter?
From a very early age, I knew I would commit my life to working in science and protecting our environment. Scientific knowledge and using evidence in decision-making is at the core of effective conservation. That is why I love ARI so much because of its focus on informing and influencing better management.
Who in science inspires you?
David Attenborough inspired me to become a scientist. To be honest, all my colleagues in the aquatic ecology section (and ARI more broadly), inspire me and I’m incredibly proud of what we do.
