Professor Wendy Wright is a distinguished leader in conservation biology and graduate research training. With a career spanning over three decades in Australian academia, Wendy brings deep expertise in ecological science, research supervision, and academic leadership.

Her research explores the complex interactions between people and wildlife across diverse ecosystems in Australia and internationally. She is particularly focused on ecological disturbances – such as fire and habitat fragmentation – and human-wildlife conflict, including illegal poaching. Her work has contributed to the conservation of iconic and threatened species, including koalas, greater gliders, leopards, tigers, and pangolins. Wendy has supervised more than 20 PhD and masters students in these areas, fostering the next generation of conservation scientists.

Wendy continues to teach undergraduate courses in biology, ecology and environmental science, and regularly leads international study tours to Nepal, where students engage with community-based approaches to wildlife conservation.

As Dean, Graduate Research, Wendy provides strategic leadership for Federation University’s Graduate Research School (GRS), overseeing all aspects of PhD, MPhil and Graduate Certificate in Research programs. She champions excellence in research training and supervision across all disciplines and campuses.

Previously, as Associate Dean (Research Training), Wendy developed the University’s Higher Degrees by Research Skills Development Program and the Skills for Supervisors Training Program – cornerstones of Federation’s research training framework.

Wendy represents Federation University at the Australian Council of Graduate Research (ACGR) and has served on its executive committee, contributing to national policy and practice in graduate research.

View Wendy's publications on ORCID.