SERA Koonamore Student Award
Named for the Koonamore Vegetation Reserve — one of Australia’s longest-running ecological monitoring sites — this award recognises students whose research is advancing the science and practice of ecological restoration.
Whether your work focuses on restoration methods, monitoring tools, community engagement approaches, or the integration of traditional knowledge into restoration planning and practice, this award is a chance to have your research seen and valued by the wider restoration community.
More information on the Koonamore Vegetation Reserve –
https://friendsofparkssa.org.au/members/members-directory/friends-of-koonamore-reserve/
https://www.tern.org.au/news/90-years-of-open-data-track-change-in-rangeland-ecosystem/
APPLY HERE
Prize: $1,000
Who’s eligible:
Students currently enrolled in an advanced program of study relevant to ecological restoration — typically PhD candidates, though other advanced research students may apply — at a recognised higher education institution. Applicants must be currently enrolled at the time of application. Previous finalists may reapply.
What you’ll need to supply:
- A written research summary explaining your topic, methods, and findings (or expected findings, if research is ongoing) (word limit – 700 words)
- An explanation of how your work contributes to restoration science, practice, or public understanding
- Confirmation of current enrolment (and supervisor details, where applicable)
- Supporting documents such as a thesis chapter, publication, or conference abstract
- Optional: photographs relevant to your research or fieldwork
If shortlisted, you’ll be contacted directly and asked to prepare a short video showcasing your project, to be shown at the awards presentation.
How to apply: Submit via the conference portal
Preparing your application: what judges are looking for
Your 700-word research summary and supporting documents will be assessed against the following criteria.
Research quality and rigour
Judges want to see a sound, well-designed methodology. Be clear about your research question, approach, and how your methods answer it.
Contribution to the field
What’s new here? Judges are looking for originality — a new approach, tool, method, or angle that adds something to restoration science or practice.
Relevance to restoration practice
Connect your research back to the real world. How could your findings inform or improve on-ground restoration work, now or in the future?
Communication and clarity
Your judging panel won’t necessarily be specialists in your exact research area — write clearly and accessibly, and make sure a generalist restoration audience can follow your argument.
Potential impact
Think beyond your thesis or paper — what could this research influence down the track? Future studies, policy, or how practitioners approach restoration on the ground?