Dr. Elizabeth Hawkins

PhD, Southern Cross University, 2008

Bachelor of Applied Science (Coastal Management) (Hons), Southern Cross University, 2003

Research Summary

Dr. Hawkins has over ten years experience researching the ecology of dolphins and whales in Australia. She is the principal investigator for the Dolphin Ecology & Acoustics Project through Southern Cross University (www.dolphinresearchaustralia.com). Her research has primarily focused on the acoustics and behaviour of bottlenose dolphins. Her Honours research completed in 2002, examined the patterns of acoustic emissions during different behaviours in a group of provisioned bottlenose dolphins at Tangalooma, Moreton Island. In 2008, Dr. Hawkins completed her PhD research on the population abundance, ecology and the influence of vessels on Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) in the Byron Bay region, NSW, Australia. In addition to her PhD and Honours research, Dr. Hawkins has also conducted research on the variations in the acoustic repertoires of bottlenose dolphin along the east and west coasts of Australia. Dr. Hawkins has published her research in a number of scientific journals and made many public presentations on both her research and marine conservation issues to a variety of community groups and developed a variety of education materials. Currently a Postdoctoral Fellow with the Southern Cross University School of Tourism & Hospitality and the SCU Whale Research Group, Dr. Hawkins is continuing her research into the communication faculty and behavioural ecology of coastal dolphins. Dr. Hawkins works closely with international researchers. These local and international collaborations will aid in the development of future research and the advancement in the knowledge of dolphin ecology.

Grants

Australian Marine Mammal Centre, 2010, Habitat use and population dynamics of coastal dolphins in the Gold Coast Region, $71,000

Project Aware, 2010, Development of the Dolphin Sighting Network, $2500

Research Interests

Human-Wildlife interactions through tourism

Ecology and conservation of marine mammals

Current Research Projects

Marine Tourism: Linking Science & Practice - developing linkages between marine leisure and tourism with science and scientists.

Marine tourism encounters with dolphins in a protected area: understanding dolphin needs & managing for the future

Call development of a neonate bottlenose dolphin calf

Acoustic responses to stress in wild bottlenose dolphins

Publications

Hawkins, E. (2010) 'Geographic variations in the whistles of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) along the east and west coasts of Australia', Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 128(2), 924-935. ERA ranking A

Hawkins, E. & Gartside, D. (2010) 'Whistle emissions of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) differ with group composition and surface behaviours', Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 127 (4), 2652-2663. ERA ranking A

Hawkins, E. & Gartside, D. (2009) 'Patterns of Whistles Emitted by Wild Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) during a Provisioning Program', Aquatic Mammals, 35 (2), 171-186. ERA ranking C

Hawkins, E. & Gartside, D. (2009) 'Interactive behaviours of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) during encounters with vessels', Aquatic Mammals, 35 (2), 259-268. ERA ranking C

Hawkins, E. & Gartside, D. (2008) 'Social and Behavioural Characteristics of Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) in northern New South Wales, Australia' Journal of Australian Mammalogy, 30, 71-82. ERA ranking C

Updated: 30 May 2012