Prof. Karen ESLER

Distinguished Professor, Stellenbosch University

I am a Distinguished Professor and previous head of the Department of Conservation Ecology & Entomology at Stellenbosch University (2015-2020). I have been a core team member of the DST-NRF Centre of Excellence for Invasion Biology since its inception (2004) & am a research associate of the Centre for Sustainability Transitions at Stellenbosch University. I currently serve as African Associate Editor for ‘Conservation Biology’.  In my research, I  simultaneously navigate disciplinary depths in ecology to work across disciplines, allowing me to contribute to inter-disciplinary and applied spaces.  The overall goal of my research is to understand how drivers of change  influence population and community structure and processes in Mediterranean-type ecosystems, arid ecosystems and riparian vegetation.  The applied aspect of this work has been to develop and translate best-practice advice for management, restoration and conservation.