Academy Fellow

Sarah’s interdisciplinary team has pioneered large-scale advances in nature-based solutions, through ambitious real-world experiments in collaboration with industry. Her contributions have transformed the way nature is conceived of and designed for in cities and has been translated into changes in practice and policy both in Australia and overseas. 

With expertise at the interface of conservation science, urban planning and design, Sarah co-developed the Biodiversity Sensitive Urban Design protocol now used by governments, designers, developers and regulators to deliver nature-positive outcomes in complex urban settings. With Australian Research Council/philanthropic/industry funding she has implemented, tested and innovated BSUD in multiple contexts, from single dwellings, schools, streetscapes and whole precincts. Academic impacts include five invited plenary presentations, and a Nature Communications and three Nature Urban Sustainability publications. 

Sarah’s group has conducted foundational research in conservation psychology to ensure positive engagement and support from relevant urban communities. Her expertise in understanding motivations and behaviours of decision makers and urban residents and in the development of socio-ecological models is recognised internationally. She has developed skills in understanding best way to communicate about biodiversity conservation, engage diverse audiences and avoid unanticipated consequences. 

Sarah has led multiple action research projects, including influential European Commission funded projects. Urban Greenup demonstrated successful implementation of nature-based solutions to diverse urban challenges (flood risk, heat mitigation, retail strip activation) in 8 cities around the world. Working with vulnerable communities in 6 global cities, RECETAS uses action research to test the effectiveness of nature-based social prescribing to treat profound loneliness in cities.  

Her roles as Chair and Lead Councillor of The Biodiversity Council and a member of the Eminent Scientist Committee of WWF, Living Futures Oceania Technical Working Group, Sustainable Architecture Committee (Victoria), Landscape Reference Group for the National Trust and UN Global Compact Urban Scholar are further examples of impact beyond academia.  

Chair and Lead Councilor, Biodiversity Council 

WWF Eminent Scientist Group 

Advisor to ELM Responsible Investments, the Living Building Challenge and Wood for Good 

1999 Australian Bicentennial Award for postgraduate research (Australian Government) 

2001 John S. Turner award for Botany postgraduate students (University of Melbourne) 

2004 & 2005 RMIT Research Prize  

2005 RMIT Collaborative Research Prize 

2005 Brian Robinson Fellowship for Environmental Sustainability (Brian Robinson Foundation) 

2006 RMIT Emerging Researcher Award 

2014 Australian Research Council Future Fellowship 

2015 RMIT Vice-Chancellor’s Research Award 

2016 Banksia Award Finalist, Biodiversity Sensitive Urban Design (Banksia Awards) 

2020 Winner of the City of Melbourne Design Challenge 

2020 Totemic species in Schools project nominated for HART Award for Indigenous  Reconciliation (HART Awards) 

2022/3 RMIT Media Star Award 

2023 Best eLearning Design and Best eLearning Design for Industry for ‘Bringing Urban Nature into the Cities of Tomorrow’ (Future Learn) 

2025 Australian Research Council Industry Laureate Fellowship 

• Garrard, G.E., Williams, N.S.G., Mata, L., Thomas, J., Bekessy, S.A. 2018, ‘Biodiversity sensitive urban design’, Conservation Letters, 11, pp. 1-10. 
• Croeser T, Kirk H, Weisser W, Snow S, Xiao ASR, Visintin C, Bekessy S (2025) Towards an everyday nature index for urban streetscapes. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 129195 
• Humphrey JE, Selinske MJ, Garrard GE, zu Ermgassen SOSE, Addison PFE, Kiss BM, Burgass M, Chimbwandira SJ, Connop S, Duffus NE, Hartwell R, Moberly RL, Nash C, Nolan P, Staples J, Bekessy SA (2025) How do we achieve nature positive? A vision and targets for the UK residential and commercial development sector. NPJ Urban Sustainability. 
• Visintin C, Garrard GE, Weisser WW, Baracco M, Hobbs RJ, Bekessy SA (2025) Designing cities for everyday nature. Conservation Biology 39: e14328. 
• Sachs AL, Maso-Aguado M, Bach A, Opacin N, Hill , Cattaneo L, Coll-Planas L, Johnson K, Hidalgo L, Dhaler C, Litt J, Bekessy S (2024) Developing a new tool to capture the nature dose to reduce loneliness and improve quality of life, MethodsX 3: 1-2969.