Dr Kylie Cairns - 'Dispelling the wild dog myth'

Kylie, a researcher from the University of New South Wales, specialises in wildlife genetics and conservation biology. Cutting-edge genetics has altered our understanding of the dingo and its origins and is leading to policy changes about dingo management.

Our knowledge of the ancestry of dingoes and wild dogs across Australia has changed dramatically in the last five years. Cutting-edge genetics has altered our understanding of the dingo and answered questions about their origins, identity and how they are different from man’s best friend, the domestic dog. This research is leading to policy changes about dingo management, and to discussions about how to balance agriculture with conservation.

Biography

Dr. Kylie Cairns is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), specializing in wildlife genetics and conservation biology. Her groundbreaking work focuses on the genetic makeup of dingoes, investigating their evolutionary history and ecological role in Australia. Dr. Cairns has contributed significantly to understanding the origins and identity of dingoes and their relationship to domestic dogs and wolves. More recently she has begun using environmental DNA to investigate how dingoes interact with their environment and other species. Her research aims to inform conservation strategies that protect these iconic animals while balancing ecosystem health, biodiversity and agricultural impacts. Kylie is passionate about engaging the public in science and conservation efforts. She frequently collaborates with Indigenous communities to integrate traditional ecological knowledge into her research.

Bookings open 28 February 2025.

Booking link: https://www.trybooking.com/CXZXJ