Join UniSC's Forest Research Institute (FRI) on the first Wednesday of each month to learn about forestry and sustainability.

At each event, researchers and HDR students from the Institute will share insights from their latest projects, and discuss challenges and innovations in forestry, with a particular focus on sustainability and the vital role forests play in tackling climate change. A free brown bag lunch is provided for those who come in person, or you can join online. 

Speaker announcement: Charlotte Raven will present, Raiders of the Lost Plot – Fieldwork, biodiversity, and rainforest adventures 

What do tropical rainforests, insects, and a few truly chaotic fieldwork stories have in common? This Lunch and Learn traces the journey of a PhD spent deep in North Queensland’s rainforests – where research rarely goes to plan, and the unexpected often leads to the most important discoveries. Through a mix of storytelling and science, this talk will explore how studying insects can reveal insights into biodiversity, ecosystem function, and the dynamics of rainforests. Along the way, it will highlight the realities of field-based research, from logistical challenges to surprising encounters, and how these experiences shape the science (and the person) itself.

Bringing these threads together, the lecture will connect personal research experiences to broader questions in conservation: how do we measure biodiversity meaningfully, and how can even the smallest organisms inform big-picture decisions about the future of our forests? Whether you’re interested in ecology, conservation, or just keen to hear what really happens during fieldwork in the tropics, this talk offers an engaging and insightful look at science in action –  and why it matters.

More info and registration link here: Forests for our Future: Lunch and Learn series