Events

While climate change is considered the great crisis of our age, the rapid loss of species and the rapid degradation of ecosystems may be as great a threat to humanity as a warming planet. So why is there a biodiversity crisis? Is there anything we can do about it? What else do we risk losing if we continue to lose biodiversity?

The evening’s panel of experts represents a range of perspectives of Biodiversity and will discuss the pending crisis through the lens of Bioscience, Indigenous culture and history, and zoology.

• Event Host – Professor Moira O’Bryan, Dean of Science
• Moderator – Amanda Martin OAM, Chief Executive Officer and Secretary to the Board, Australian Environmental Grantmakers Network (AEGN)
• Panellist – Professor Brendan Wintle, Ecosystem and Forest Sciences
• Panellist – Dr Jenny Gray, CEO Zoos Victoria
• Panellist – Dr Jack Pascoe, Conservation and Research Manager, Conservation Ecology Centre

At the conclusion of the discussion guests will have the opportunity to join the panellists for some drinks and light snacks.

The Science at Melbourne Lecture series is the premier public event series from the Faculty of Science. The event program seeks to share our knowledge and love of science with the wider community, engaging them in current research and empowering them to ask questions and take actions for a better world. The series runs throughout the year covering scientific research, discoveries and theories that play exciting or unexpected roles in shaping and advancing our society.

The purpose for founding the first scientifically informed veterinary school in 1761 was clear – to end the devastation caused by the Rinderpest virus, also known as the cattle plague. This disease ravaged cattle herds across Europe leaving a trail of food insecurity, economic and social disaster in its wake. With no school preparing veterinarians with the knowledge and skills needed to control it, the first veterinary school in Lyons, France was born. 

In the 21st century, veterinarians operate in an incomparable number of spheres, including basic scientific research, emerging zoonoses, food safety and security, environmental sustainability, wildlife health and conservation, animal welfare, and companion animal medicine. In the intervening years, veterinarians have adapted to meet new challenges while still functioning within the original ‘social contract’ that has granted privileges and imposed responsibilities on the profession. 

By examining the present challenges that veterinarians are expected to help solve, Professor Colin Wilks will explore whether the profession is still fit for purpose. 

Recognising the contribution of Professor Douglas Blood on Melbourne Veterinary School, the DC Blood Oration invites renowned scholars to present as part of the Faculty’s Dean Lecture Series.