Stephen van Leeuwen – The Conversation

Ripple100/Getty

July 22, 2026

‘A river is our life force’: why Indigenous cultural values must be visible in conservation

Teagan Shields, Curtin University; Anna-Sheree Krige, The University of Western Australia; Anne Poelina, University of Notre Dame Australia, and Stephen van Leeuwen, Curtin University

An animal, plant, landscape or waterway may be culturally vital even if not rare or threatened.

Fernando Llano/AAP

November 17, 2025

Finally, Indigenous peoples have an influential voice at COP30. They’re speaking loud and clear

Danilo Urzedo, The University of Western Australia; Oliver Tester, Curtin University, and Stephen van Leeuwen, The University of Western Australia

The UN climate conference in the Brazilian Amazon marks an unprecedented effort to elevate Indigenous concerns in negotiating rooms and on the streets.

David Crosling/AAP

February 5, 2023

200 experts dissected the Black Summer bushfires in unprecedented detail. Here are 6 lessons to heed

Libby Rumpff, The University of Melbourne; Brendan Wintle, The University of Melbourne; John Woinarski, Charles Darwin University; Sarah Legge, Australian National University, and Stephen van Leeuwen, Curtin University

In one finding, fire authorities chose to save a few farm sheds over 5,000 hectares of national park. Clearly, our fire management needs a reset.

Nicolas Rakotopare/Karajarri Traditional Lands Association

January 24, 2022

Ancient knowledge is lost when a species disappears. It’s time to let Indigenous people care for their country, their way

Teagan Shields, The University of Melbourne; Bradley J. Moggridge, University of Canberra, and Stephen van Leeuwen, Curtin University

Rather than sitting in the back seat, Indigenous Australians must be up front in managing the recovery of Australia’s unique and precious environment.

The Pilbara: lots more than just mining. Leanne Corker/supplied

June 1, 2014

Pilbara shows how to save the most species per dollar

Josie Carwardine, CSIRO; Andrew Reeson, CSIRO; Belinda Walters, CSIRO; Jennifer Firn, Queensland University of Technology; Professor Iadine Chadès, CSIRO; Sam Nicol, CSIRO; Stephen van Leeuwen, The University of Western Australia, and Tara Martin, CSIRO

Across northern Australia, small native mammals are disappearing at an alarming rate, and other animals and plants are also in decline. One major problem is finding the best way to use funds to manage…

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