Manu began working on Insect Conservation and Diversity in 2022 and has a passionate interest in community ecology. Insect Conservation and Diversity is the RES journal that has a focus on biogeography, climate change impacts, conservation genetics, and global biodiversity.
Tell us a bit about the person behind the title Editor-in-Chief.
I grew up in a rural area and succeeded at school thanks to my amazing single mum. I’ve always been a writer and a nature child, but didn’t learn about Ecology as a scientific career until I’d already completed my first degree in Literature and Journalism. I went back to university to train as an Ecologist and the rest is history.
How did your academic career develop, and what led you to entomology in particular?
I’m an ‘accidental entomologist’. I started my degree and training with a broad interest in ecology and conservation, and was mostly taught to engage with charismatic vertebrates as most of our education systems focus on these. During my final Honours research year, I had a few unfortunate experiences that led to my original project on koalas falling through. I ended up with my first insect research experience, out of necessity to complete my degree, and I haven’t looked back since. University degrees rarely engage students with insects, but my Honours experience opened my eyes to the mind-blowing diversity of invertebrates and how important they are to the world around us. I wanted to know more about insect conservation, so I pursued a PhD and, thanks to some great mentors and some of my own perseverance, I’m still here.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Writing knowledge.
What do you appreciate the most about being involved with the RES?
Being able to contribute to one of the oldest entomological societies in the world, and one of the world’s current authorities on invertebrate science.
It’s very rewarding to contribute to science through my work on the journal. Editors-in-Chief have such an important role: they are also handling editors and peer reviewers, and it’s an important responsibility to assess submitted manuscripts for scientific value and support authors (especially early career researchers) through the publication process.
– Manu Saunders
Many entomologists travel widely – what was the most enjoyable fieldwork location you’ve worked in, and would you recommend it for a holiday?
Anywhere in Australia! Around 70% of our insect species are undescribed, so any field trip (or holiday!) is exciting, you never know what you might find.
What’s your favourite insect and why?
As a research focus, I’m happiest working with the community/function level rather than individual species or taxonomic groups. I do have a soft spot for pollinators, as they were my first research focus, particularly solitary bees and hoverflies.
If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why?
To save the Earth. No explanation needed.
Where are you hoping your research (or career) will take you next?
To save the Earth with a better work-life balance!
Quickfire Questions
Manu’s favourite:
- Place? My homeland, Sunshine Coast hinterland, Queensland Australia
- Food? Olive oil
- Drink? Tea and Wine
- Book? Too many. Currently reading Chris Hammer’s amazing works.
- Band? Midnight Oil, Led Zeppelin, Pigram Brothers…and many more!
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