Professor Steve Hopper AC
Has served as Director (CEO and Chief Scientist) of the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew (2006-2012), and as Director (CEO) of Kings Park and Botanic Garden (1992-2004) in Perth, Western Australia. Involved in flora conservation research and academic teaching in conservation biology at The University of Western Australia, from which he graduated BSc (Hons) in 1974, PhD in 1980, and Honorary DSc in 2010. Also Honorary DSc University of Sussex 2012.
Currently, he works as Professor of Biodiversity at The University of Western Australia, Albany campus, since 2012. Professor Hopper investigates the ecological, evolutionary, conservation and sustainability aspects of biodiversity on old, climatically buffered infertile landscapes (Ocbils). He has a special focus on plants of granite rock outcrops, and on the Haemodoraceae, eucalypts and orchids. He also leads a small team researching links between Aboriginal and scientific knowledge systems of biodiversity with Noongar Aboriginal Elders.