![[object Object] Stephen Van Leeuwen](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/71jmx9y3/production/7146e1e8fd9d5671a84aff65180e45a570f30db0-2544x2593.jpg?auto=format&fit=max&q=75&w=1272)
Stephen Van Leeuwen
Professor Stephen van Leeuwen is a distinguished botanical ecologist, executive environmental research leader and respected Wardandi Noongar with cultural connections to Country in the Busselton / Margaret River region. Stephen serves as Chair of the Karri Karrak Aboriginal Corporation, the representative Native Title entity for the southwest corner of WA. Stephen is Australia’s first Indigenous Chair of Biodiversity and Environmnetal Science based at Curtin University. He is also Director of the Australian Research Council’s Training Centre for Healing Country at Curtin University and Deputy Leader and Senior Indigenous Facilitator for the National Environmnetal Science Program’s Resilient Landscapes Hub based at The University of Western Australia. Across Federal and State government, as well as non-governmental sectors, Stephen contributes his expertise to numerous Indigenous, natural resource management, and environmental advisory boards and committees. His influence extends across policy, research strategy, and community-led environmental stewardship. Stephen has developed a diverse and respected scientific pedigree with his skill ranging from plant taxonomy and biological survey to threatened species assessment, flora and fauna management, scientific data governance, and conservation policy development. Stephen’s leadership continues to shape Australia’s approach to biodiversity conservation, land management, and the integration of Indigenous knowledge systems into environmental science.