Hannah Davies

I am a Honours student, also part of the MAVE lab at the University of Wollongong

I grew up in regional NSW (far from the ocean!), but fell in love with marine science after learning to scuba dive on a high school field trip as part of a marine studies elective.

I went on to complete a Bachelor of Marine Science and am now undertaking Honours to explore my research interests further.

Supervisors: Dr Katharina J. Peters (UOW), Dr Frédérik Saltré (BEAM), Dr Adelaide Dedden (NSW, Dpt Planning & Env)

My research

My research uses decades of Australian whale and dolphin stranding records to investigate how species ranges may be shifting in response to climate change. Cetaceans play vital roles in ocean ecosystems and are sensitive to environmental change, but monitoring them in the wild is often difficult. Through analysing stranding data from across all Australian states, I’ll be providing the first continental-scale assessment of cetacean stranding trends, to offer new insights on how climate change may be impacting the habitat range of cetaceans.

My interests

Marine species responses to climate change
Marine mammal ecology
Accessible science communication
Ecological modelling

Fun facts

When I’m not studying or trying to bend R studio to my will, I enjoy rock pool exploring, hiking, practising Tai Chi, and dancing (badly) to 2010s music in the living room.

Favourite quote

“Instructions for living a life. Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.” – Mary Oliver