Dean's Research Seminar: "A case study of chytridiomycosis" by Professor Lee Skerratt

In a recent Dean's Research Seminar, "A national approach to Research, Development & Extension (R,D&E) for wildlife health and what can be achieved with collaborative research: a case study of chytridiomycosis", Professor Lee Skerratt discussed a draft ten year national plan and a preferred collaborative model for R,D&E to better solve major wildlife health issues facing Australia.
Australia does not currently have a generic national approach for using research, development and extension (R,D&E) to solve major wildlife health issues despite their increasing frequency. In November 2019, a workshop involving Australian governments, key stakeholders, research and training providers and wildlife health experts agreed to explore the value proposition of a national approach.
The draft plan builds on the outcomes of the 2019 workshop through a review of the recent literature for recommendations, consultation with stakeholder focus groups, consideration of other animal health and biosecurity strategies, workshops to review and synthesise the information gathered and generate recommendations, online forum and a national workshop to receive and integrate feedback and ongoing engagement to help ensure the findings are adopted. This is a major initiative for Australia and the latest progress will be discussed along with lessons learned from a national approach case study, mitigating the impact of chytridiomycosis causing widespread amphibian decline.