Laura Sonter

Dr. Laura Sonter is a Senior Lecturer in Environmental Management at The University of Queensland’s School of Earth and Environmental Sciences and Deputy Director for Education at the Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science. Her research focuses on understanding the links between mining activities, biodiversity conservation and provision of ecosystem services in landscapes under increasing human pressure for development. Laura and her research students use spatial datasets and land use change modelling tools to evaluate the effectiveness of conservation policies and inform land management decisions. They work across disciplines (e.g. ecology to geography and economics) and in collaboration with governments, industry and environmental NGOs, and seek to generate the knowledge needed to improve conservation outcomes and achieve sustainable development.