Miss Gemma Sansom
Higher Degree by Research Candidate
School of Biological Sciences
College of Science
I am a passionate PhD candidate in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology with a focus on wildlife conservation, particularly the southern hairy-nosed wombat population in South Australia's Far West Coast. My research explores how the Dog Fence and the removal of dingoes (the wombat’s primary predator) have impacted wombat behaviour, genetic relationships, and abundance.
My primary research focus surrounds wildlife management, ecology and conservation. Specifically my research is conducted on the southern hairy-nosed wombat, in order to establish an understanding of how the erection of the dog fence through the species distribution has had an impact. Using a combination of genetic, spatial and behavioural analysis, my work will create a broad understanding of the impacts which fencing has on off-target wildlife, applicable to wildlife species worldwide.
| Date | Position | Institution name |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 - ongoing | Research Assistant | The University of Adelaide |
| Date | Institution name | Country | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | The University of Adelaide | Australia | PhD in Sciences |
| 2020 - 2021 | The University of Adelaide | Australia | Bachelor of Science (Animal Science) (Honours) |
| 2017 - 2019 | The University of Adelaide | Australia | Bachelor of Science (Animal Science) |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Sansom, G., Ostendorf, B., & Taggart, D. (2025). Historic accounts of the impact of dingoes on South Australia’s sheep industry that led to the construction of the Dog Fence, with notes on other wildlife abundance. Wildlife Research, 52(9), 14 pages. |
| 2023 | Sansom, G., Barlow, C. F., Daniel, L., & Baker, E. (2023). Social housing temperature conditions and tenant priorities. Australian Journal of Social Issues, 58(3), 624-639. Scopus6 WoS6 |
| 2022 | Baker, E., Daniel, L., Beer, A., Rowley, S., Stone, W., Bentley, R., . . . Sansom, G. (2022). The impact of the pandemic on the Australian rental sector. Ahuri Final Report, (389). Scopus3 |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Baker, E., Daniel, L., & Sansom, G. (2022). Victorian Renters: Affordability, Experiences and Aspirations. |