I am a research fellow at The University of Melbourne’s Burnley Campus, in the Clean Air and Urban Landscape hub of the National Environmental Science Program.
My research explores the intersection of horticulture, ecology/conservation and psychology – mostly about green spaces in cities, but more generally about human engagement with different kinds of nature in cities and beyond.
I have a particular interest in the way people’s values are applied to nature, the social acceptability of environmental management (including wildlife), patterns in the distribution of urban plants, inequality in the provision of urban green space and access to nature, and the traits of plants that are important to people (particularly plant colour).
I am currently a member of the federal Threatened Species Scientific Committee, who assess the eligibility of threatened species and ecological communities for listing (and sometime delisting) under the EPBC Act.
I collaborate extensively with other researchers, students, government and industry to answer questions that can help improve people’s interactions with the landscapes and ecosystems we live with.
Current students
Alison Farrar: “Social evaluations and ecological outcomes of management actions in urban conservation reserves: A case study of Melbourne’s native grasslands”
Gary Veale: “Unlocking human potential: A transdisciplinary study into unlocking the potential of corporate professionals via nature connectivity”
Margreet Drijfhout: “Overabundance of a native, iconic vertebrate: Causes, cascading effects and public perception of overabundant koalas”
Brendan Champness: “The effects of human values, attitudes and behavioural intentions on bird assemblages in urban environments”
Kaye Currey: “A manager’s perspective on urban flying-fox camp management”
Former students
Joe Kaspar
Virginia Harris
Chiyedza Kuruneri-Chitepo
Publications
You can see a list of my academic publications on my Google Scholar profile.
Grants
You can see a list of my current academic grants on my Find an Expert profile.
Livesley, S., Kendal, D., Threlfall C., Fuller, R., Davern, M., van der Ree, R., Hochuli, D. (2016-2018) Managing urban trees for people and wildlife, ARC Linkage GrantLP160100780, $320,000
Wintle, B., Williams, K., Welbergen, J., Westcott, D., van der Ree, R., Kendal, D., (2016-2018) ARC Linkage Grant LP110200473 $351,000
Lee, K., Kendal, D., Naghizade, E., Winter, S., Rashidi, L., Urban greenspace and social networks in connected cities: Can geo‐tagged Twitter posts provide static and dynamic snapshots of mood and social connectedness?, Melbourne Networked Society Institute Seed Funding grant (2016-2017) $36,191
Robin L., Moore J., Smith M., Muir C., Kendal D. (2012-2015) The Culture of Weeds: Invasion Biology, Identity and Aesthetics in Australia, ARC Linkage Grant LP110200473 $374,154
Guiding Landscapes and Communities in Transition, Myer Foundation $292,000
Industry projects
Kendal, D., Farrar, A. (2016) Indicators for Melbourne’s laneway greening, The City of Melbourne
Kendal, D. (2016) Melbourne’s Future urban forest, The City of Melbourne
Kendal, D., Farrar, A. (2016) The social values of Melbourne Water’s biodiversity assets, Melbourne Water
Kendal, D., Farrar, A. (2015) Community perceptions of water sensitive urban design features, Moonee Valley City Council
Ford, R., Kendal, D. (2013-2015) Community Values of Public Land in Victoria, DSE
Kendal, D. (2012-2015) Urban Forest Values: Engaging the community in urban forest planning, City of Melbourne
Teaching
While I am currently employed in a research only position, I have taught extensively into a variety of urban horticulture, ecology and sustainability subjects at undergraduate and postgraduate levels over the last 12 years.
