Professor Jacqueline Beggs

Jacqueline Beggs is a Professor of Ecology and Director of Research for Ngā Ara Whetū, Centre for Climate, Biodiversity and Society at the University of Auckland. She is of English, Scottish, Irish and Ngāti Awa ancestry and has a strong interest in ensuring a Te Ao Māori perspective is applied to her research and teaching.

Jacqueline specialises in the biodiversity, biosecurity and restoration of Aotearoa New Zealand’s natural, agricultural and urban ecosystems. Her driving purpose is to better understand the ecological consequences of anthropogenic change, particularly the threat posed by invasive species, and ultimately assist in conserving and restoring native biodiversity. Her recent research has been focused on invasive social wasps and inclusion of mātauranga Māori in Aotearoa ecology.

Jacqueline was awarded the New Zealand Ecological Society’s premier Te Tohu Taiao award in recognition of her sustained and unique contribution to invertebrate ecology, mentoring and outreach roles and leadership among the ecological community. She is a Past President of the New Zealand Entomological Society and currently is chair of the Kākāpo Recovery Group (Department of Conservation) and a member of the international Invasive Species Specialist Group (International Union for Conservation of Nature).

For more information see Professor Jacqueline Beggs's University of Auckland webpage.