
Dr Steven Delean
Lecturer
School of Biological Sciences
Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology
Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.
Steven is a lecturer in Biostatistics and Ecology within the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Adelaide with responsibilities for coordinating undergraduate courses on quantitative analysis, as well as providing statistical support for the Honours and postgraduate programs across the School.
- My Research
- Career
- Publications
- Grants and Funding
- Teaching
- Supervision
- Professional Activities
- Contact
Steven has 20 years of experience in applying statistical models and computational modelling to understand species dynamics and biodiversity patterns, with a focus on applied outcomes for species management. He is a consulting statistician across the research disciplines within the School of Biological Sciences, and collaborates as a consultant on Government and Industry projects, including advising on sampling design for biodiversity monitoring, and the management of over-abundant native and pest species. Steven is also a member of the Centre for Applied Conservation Science at The University of Adelaide (https://www.adelaide.edu.au/environment/acs/).
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Appointments
Date Position Institution name 2013 - ongoing Lecturer University of Adelaide 2011 - 2012 Research Associate University of Adelaide 2008 - 2011 Research Associate University of Adelaide 2000 - 2006 Biostatistician Australian Institute of Marine Science -
Education
Date Institution name Country Title 2007 James Cook University Australia PhD 1996 James Cook University Australia Masters in Applied Science (Statistics - Incomplete; coursework only completed) 1993 James Cook University Australia Postgraduate Diploma of Science 1988 Flinders University Australia BA (Biol.) -
Research Interests
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Journals
Towards integrated management of the Mount Lofty Ranges biodiversity hotspot (2016-17)
FND000166: University of Adelaide (Prowse T, Boulton R, O'Connor P, Delean S, Bardsley D) - Interdisciplinary Research Funding Scheme - $25,000.00
Koala population modelling for Kangaroo Island, SA (2016-17)
Consultancy to South Australian Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources - $50,000.00
Project to provide: (1) quantitative understanding of drivers of koala distribution and abundance, (2) spatially explicit density estimates, and (3) spatially explicit population model to determine sterilisation regimes and project response of koalas to climate scenarios, management interventions, and forestry maturation.
Kangaroo Island koala population modelling and management (2016)
Consultancy to South Australian Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources - $11,900.00
Updated stochastic population model to determine koala sterilisation targets on Kangaroo Island
Goat population trends in South Australia's rangelands (2014)
Consultancy to the Australian Landscape Trust - $15,000.00
Develop statistical models to determine large-scale spatio-temporal patterns of goat abundance in the rangelands of South Australia, and relationships with variation in harvest
Kangaroo Island koala population modelling and management (2013)
Consultancy to South Australian Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources - $12,972.00
Develop a stochastic population model to determine the minimum number of koalas that need to be sterilised to maintain a declining or stable koala population on Kangaroo Island
Steve is the Coordinator for the third year Research Methods in Ecology / Wildlife Conservation / and Marine Biology II BSc courses, which focus on statistical modelling, data management, and statistical computing using R.
Steve lectures for the 2nd and 3rd year BSc courses in the Ecology Major (Ecology II and Concepts in Ecology III). Steve's teaching in Ecology includes theoretical quantitative ecology, practical workshops on ecological statistics, and field trips and camps.
Steve lectures, and coordinates a series of quantitative training workshops, for the 1st year course Principles and Practices of Research I.
Steve coordinates the Technical Report component of the undergraduate Honours program (Advanced Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (Hons)).
Current Teaching Schedule
ENV BIOL 3510/3520/3540 - Research Methods in Ecology / Wildlife Conservation / Marine Biology III
Research Methods in Ecology / Wildlife Conservation / Marine Biology III introduces systematic methods of design, collection, analysis and reporting of field and laboratory ecological data, for practical applications in the disciplines of ecology, wildlife conservation biology, and marine biology. Lectures outline the quantitative nature of ecological research and the value of robust sampling strategies and experimental methods.
ENV BIOL 3121 - Concepts in Ecology III
Ecology III addresses advanced ecological concepts across populations, communities and ecosystems, and examines various approaches to their studies, including experiments and models. It provides both an understanding of theoretical ecology as well as a foundation for ecological applications.
ENV BIOL 2502 - Ecology II & ENV BIOL 2005 - Ecology for Engineers II
Ecology II introduces the core principles of modern ecology, provides basic skills for the conduction of field studies, and fosters the development of the skills needed for the scientific analysis of ecological systems.
SCIENCE 1300 - Principles & Practice of Research (Advanced) I
Science 1300 introduces students to the core principles of scientific research and research environments. It focuses on building a robust understanding of ethical scientific practices and includes interdisciplinary collaboration, group investigation, and best-practice data management.
ENV BIOL 4050A - Advanced Ecology and Environmental Science (Hons)
Honours in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology provides a final research training year of an undergraduate degree. The Technical Report exercise is a broadening component of Honours training that expands on the major project. The technical report requires students to contextualise their analyses and approaches to inference within the broader field of quantitative analysis that is relevant to their discipline.
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Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name 2022 Co-Supervisor Factors influencing population expansion and persistence of reintroduced western quoll at fenced and unfenced sites. Master of Philosophy Master Full Time Ms Rebecca Emma Schaefer 2022 Principal Supervisor The ecology, status, and distribution of Plains Wanderers in South Australia. Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Saskia Gerhardy 2020 Co-Supervisor Understanding the Contribution of Insectivorous Bats to Ecosystem Services in the Changing Landscapes of Fiji. Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Adi Siteri Alisi Waqanivalukinaneni Tikoca -
Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name 2019 - 2023 Principal Supervisor Understanding movement processes underlying camera-trap data for reliable population inference Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Meryl Tze Yin Theng 2008 - 2012 Co-Supervisor Resolving Conceptual Confusion and Quantifying Cross Taxa Patterns of Density Dependence in Population Ecology Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Salvador Herrando-Perez
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Consulting/Advisories
Date Institution Department Organisation Type Country 2013 - 2016 Arid Recovery Arid Recovery Scientific Advisory Committee Scientific research Australia 2013 - 2016 Kangaroo Island Natural Resource Management GBC Recovery Team Conservation and environment Australia
Connect With Me
External Profiles