Top of page

Student/Staff Portal
Global Site Navigation

School of Science

Local Section Navigation
You are here: Main Content
  • Dr Sean Buckley

    Dr Sean Buckley

Related Contents

Dr Sean Buckley

Sean is a Lecturer in Molecular Ecology and Environmental Management in the School of Science.

Current Teaching

  • SCI2117: Genetics
  • SCI3112: Evolution and Systematics
  • SCI1182: Case Studies in Science
  • SCI1183: Origins and Evolution of Life
  • SCI6150: Biological Databases and Data Mining

Background

Sean is a conservation and ecological geneticist with a focus on understanding how evolutionary and genomic research can inform conservation management of biodiversity. His research spans population genetics, phylogeography, and adaptive genomics, with applications in conservation planning, conservation translocations (including genetic rescue), and threatened species recovery. He works across a range of Australian fauna - (currently) including freshwater fishes, marsupials, reptiles, and birds - using genomic tools to address real-world conservation challenges.

As a science communicator, he is also passionate about making science accessible, inclusive, and engaging. He regularly communicates science through outreach talks, media contributions, and his long-running blog The G-CAT, which explores conservation, ecology, evolution and genetics. As the Edith Cowan University representative in the Pawsey Supercomputing Research Centre Champions Program, he is also passionate about supporting research staff and students to use and engage with high-performance computing capabilities.

  • 2023 – Present: Adjunct Research Fellow, University of Western Australia
  • 2022 – 2023: Research Fellow, University of Western Australia
  • 2021: Research Associate, Flinders University

Professional Memberships

  • 2025 – Present: Society for Conservation Biology Conservation Genetics Working Group (Member)
  • 2025 – Present: Society for Conservation Biology (Member)
  • 2024 – 2025: Australasian Wildlife Management Society (Member)
  • 2022 – 2023: Australian Mammal Society (Member)
  • 2022 – Present: Shark Bay Mammal Recovery Team (Member)

Research Areas and Interests

Sean has a research focus on integrating insights from genetics into applied and direct conservation management actions for a variety of taxa, including terrestrial mammals and freshwater fishes. Currently, his research focuses on integrating genetic, demographic, and environmental data to inform and improve translocation efforts for threatened marsupials. However, he does not consider himself limited by taxonomy, and loves to dabble with all kinds of critters (great and small). His research interests include:

  • Phylogenetics, phylogeography and evolutionary history, including cryptic species
  • Population genetics: genetic diversity and population connectivity of Australian wildlife
  • Adaptive genomics and assessing species responses to climate change
  • Conservation genetics and applied conservation management: threatened species assessment, informing conservation translocations and reintroductions
  • Genetic mixing and genetic rescue for conservation

An error has occurred that is preventing this content from displaying properly.

We apologise for the inconvenience that this may cause, and ask that you try again at another time.

If this problem persists, please report it to the IT Service Desk, via email: itservicedesk@ecu.edu.au or phone: +61 (08) 6304 6000 or extension 6000.

Skip to top of page