Deakin Professor wins the 2024 Australian Museum Eureka prizes
Media release
Deakin University congratulates Professor Euan Ritchie as winner of the prestigious 2024 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes, announced at a ceremony in Sydney last night.
This was Professor Ritchie's third nomination for the Celestino Eureka Prize for Promoting an Understanding of Science, having also been a finalist in 2022 and 2023.
The awards recognise leaders in Research and Innovation, Leadership, Science Engagement and School Science.
In the face of dual climate change and extinction crises, Professor Euan Ritchie is a sought-after voice.
From writing popular articles and influential opinion pieces, live-tweeting field research and creating the much-loved 'Australian Mammal of The Year' competition, he often guides policy and fosters public understanding of nature, wildlife and how science can help overcome environmental challenges.
In celebrating his win, Professor Ritchie said:
'It is a tremendous honour to be recognised in this way. I would like to thank all the organisers and sponsors of this wonderful annual celebration of Australian science, science communication, and science-based journalism.
I feel privileged to work with so many amazing and inspiring people each day, and to be able to help tell our scientific stories, which have never been more important given the dual climate change and biodiversity decline and extinction crises we confront.
I encourage everyone to tell their scientific stories, you never know who might be listening, and stories told well can change the world.'
Deakin's Science, Engineering and Built Environment Acting Executive Dean Professor Lambert Brau said:
'Professor Ritchie’s world leading cross disciplinary research covers a diverse range of fields of study, including behavioural, community and evolutionary ecology, conservation biology, landscape ecology and wildlife management.
His critical work informs more effective conservation, policy and biodiversity management. At the same time, he has undertaken significant public outreach and advocacy, has contributed over 80 articles to The Conversation and has held a long-standing panellist position on Radio 3RRR.'
Presented annually in partnership with some of the nation’s leading scientific institutions, government organisations, universities and corporations, the Eureka Prizes raise the profile of science and science engagement in the community by celebrating outstanding achievement.
Since the prizes were established in 1990, close to 500 Eureka Prizes have been awarded.
Congratulations again to Professor Ritchie.
