Meet SMM President, Simon Goldsworthy
I have been a member of the SMM for over 30 years. After completing my BSc (1987) and PhD (1993) at Monash University (Melbourne, Australia), I undertook a Post-doctoral Research Fellowship with the Smithsonian Institution (Washington DC). Since then, I have principally worked as a government scientist in multiple agencies, but also as an academic (La Trobe University, Melbourne), and am currently an Affiliate Professor with The University of Adelaide and Flinders University (South Australia). For almost two-decades I have worked as a Principal Scientist with the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) in Adelaide (South Australia), where my research has focused on mitigating marine mammal interactions with fisheries and aquaculture, and the population and foraging ecology of recovering long-nosed fur seals, and the endangered Australian sea lion.
Within the SMM I have acted on the Board of Editors for Marine Mammal Science (2007- 2014), and on the SMM Board as a Member at Large (2010-2014), and most recently as President-elect (2020-2022). As President I wish to enhance the Society’s visibility, impact and the opportunities for members and students to communicate and promote their research. The world’s ecological and climate systems are facing unprecedented threats from human impacts, and the rapidity of change is placing extreme pressure on many marine mammal species and their ecosystems. I believe that at no time has the Society’s mission to promote the global advancement of marine mammal science and increase its relevance and impact in education, conservation and management been so important.
Dear Members, The Board of Governors and I reaffirm the Society for Marine Mammalogy’s unwavering commitment to advancing marine mammal science and maximizing its impact on education, conservation, and management, while promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our field is strengthened by the diversity of individuals who contribute to it—across all ages, career stages, nationalities, […]
I am thrilled to announce that Prof Kit Kovacs has been selected as the recipient of the prestigious 2024 Norris Award. This career achievement award, given in honour of our founding president, recognises individuals who have made exemplary lifetime contributions to marine mammalogy through research, teaching, and service. Prof Kovacs, currently based at the Norwegian […]
The Wood Award is given in honour of F. G. Wood, one of the founders of the Society for Marine Mammalogy. The Award is presented to the first author of the best student paper submitted to Marine Mammal Science, every biennium. The winner is invited to present their work as a Plenary Talk at the […]
Dear Members, As you may be aware, the Society is currently holding a special election for the office of President-Elect. Due to low voter turnout, we have decided to extend the ballot for one more week. The ballot will now be open until 14 March 2024 at 12 PM EST. For members who have not already […]
Dear Member, As communicated on the 12th February, we are holding a special ‘snap’ election for the office of President-Elect to fill the role effective immediately. The ballot will be open for 2 weeks until 7 March 2024 at 12 PM EST. Please sign in and vote here. Thank you for your participation and your […]