Prof. Dr. Ricky J. Spencer is a Full Professor at Western Sydney University and a leading authority on the conservation and ecology of freshwater turtles in Australia. He has dedicated his entire career to safeguarding these iconic species, pioneering research that combines ecological science with innovative conservation strategies.

Prof. Spencer’s outstanding contributions were recognized with the prestigious Australian Museum Eureka Prize for Applied Environmental Research in 2023, honoring his groundbreaking work on turtle conservation. He is also among the founders of the 1 Million Turtles Initiative, a landmark citizen-science and conservation movement that unites communities, researchers, and turtle enthusiasts across Australia to prevent freshwater turtles from sliding towards extinction.

A hallmark of his work has been the development of the TurtleSAT app, an advanced technology platform that harnesses community-driven data, artificial intelligence, and predictive models to map turtle distributions, monitor high road mortality, identify nesting habitats, and guide evidence-based conservation actions. His innovative solutions also include the creation of “Turtle Islands”, which provide safe nesting grounds and protect females from fox predation, offering a practical and scalable tool for turtle population recovery.