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DoctorShane Richards

Senior Lecturer in Statistics

Mathematics

Orcid identifier0000-0002-9638-5827 (opens in a new tab)⁠
  • Senior Lecturer in Statistics
    Mathematics
  • School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics, 454 Physics, Sandy Bay Campus, TAS

RESEARCH SUMMARy

Expertise
Shane is an expert in mathematical modelling and statistics, and applying these skills to solving a broad range of biological problems, ranging from microbiology to ecosystem ecology. He collaborates with scientists across a broad range of disciplines, quantifying hypotheses by formulating them as mathematical models, and then testing the hypotheses by fitting them to data. These collaborations often result in practical applications (e.g. biological control or conservation).

Research Themes
Shane’s research aligns with the following UTAS research themes: Marine, Antarctic and Maritime; Environment, Resources and Sustainability; and Data, Knowledge and Decisions.

Current Projects

He is currently modelling the spread of mange in bare-nosed wombats to develop more effective strategies for managing the disease in the wild. In collaboration with the Marine Mammal Foundation, Shane is building statistical models to assess the population status of the Burrunan dolphin (Tursiops australis) that inhabit the Gippsland Lakes, Victoria. He is also working with IMAS to develop size-structured marine ecosystem models that can be fitted to the extensive Reef Life Survey dataset, enabling assessment of the effects of marine protected areas. Additionally, Shane is developing models of local plant competition and facilitation, testing them with field data, and advancing statistical approaches to model selection to support better decision-making.


Collaboration
Shane is currently collaborating with national and inter-national researchers at a number of institutes, including: The University of Calgary (Canada), Durham University (UK), University of Georgia (USA), and CSIRO. He also contributes to data collection and analysis with local industry and community organisations (e.g. Landcare Tasmania, Forest Protection Authority, and Threatened Plants Tasmania).

FUNDED PROJECTS

  • GRANT
    The landscape epidemiology of sarcoptic mange in bare-nosed wombats across New South Wales
    1 Jul 2023 - 31 Dec 2024
    People funded by this grant:
    • Carver S,
    • Richards S,
    • Ringwaldt E
    Project Total: $164,717; The overarching aim of this project is to uncover areas at greatest risk of sarcoptic mange in bare-nosed wombats in NSW, and to understand the factors determining this spatial variation. Funded by: NSW Department of Planning and Environment - Grant ($164,717); University of Tasmania.
  • GRANT
    Universal properties in size distributions of aquatic species
    1 Dec 2022 - 3 Oct 2026
    People funded by this grant:
    • Audzijonyte A,
    • Krueck N,
    • Richards S,
    • Andersen K
    Project Total: $456,000; Knowledge about the body size distributions in natural populations is central to ecology and management. Body sizes are rapidly changing due to human impacts, but we still do not know how and why. This project will bring together large datasets collected through traditional and citizen science methods and advances in size based theory to assess general properties in body size distributions across thousands of aquatic species, estimate and predict temperature and harvest impacts through space and time, and advance size-based theory and its application. We will develop practical statistical tools for management and conservation of data poor species worldwide, focusing on non-traditional data sources. Funded by: Australian Research Council - Grant-Discovery Projects ($456,000); University of Tasmania ($100,291).
  • CONSULTANCY/CONTRACT RESEARCH
    CSIRO- Barrow Turtle research
    CSIRO-Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation1 Jan 2021 - 31 Dec 2021
    People funded by this grant:
    • Richards S
    Project Total: $20,000; The Specified personnel will assist CSIRO in completing the Project as detailed in the attached Head Agreement. Specifically, the Specified Personnel will develop a simple deterministic, discrete-time population model for Natator depressus, which will be incorporated into a management-decision model. Optimal decisions will be determined by applying stochastic dynamic programming to a stochastic version of the population model. Funded by: CSIRO-Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation ($20,000); University of Tasmania.
  • GRANT
    Developing feasible in situ control of mange disease in wombats
    7 May 2020 - 31 Dec 2025
    People funded by this grant:
    • Greenville A,
    • Campbell-Ward M,
    • Carver S,
    • Richards S,
    • Charleston M
    Project Total: $328,117; Our goal is the development of feasible in situ control of sarcoptic mange in wombat populations. Globally important, the Sarcoptes scabiei mite infects >100 mammal species and is among the 50 most common human diseases, causing health, welfare and population impacts. This infection is treatable, and we will test a new treatment (fluralaner), develop new models to guide management, and conduct replicated field trials. This will enable science-based guidelines, advancing disease control, local eradication, and regulatory approval for wombats. Our research framework is adaptable to other mange-impacted species, and advance methods and theory for control of treatable disease in wildlife. Funded by: Australian Research Council - Grant-Linkage Projects; Hydro Electric Corporation; Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania; University of Sydney; University of the Sunshine Coast; Highland Conservation Pty Ltd; Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary Pty Ltd; Water NSW; MSD Animal Health; University of Tasmania.
  • CONSULTANCY/CONTRACT RESEARCH
    Outcome mapping and developing adaptation pathways for the Northwest Shelf Flatback Turtle Conservation Program
    CSIRO-Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation1 Jan 2020 - 31 Dec 2021
    People funded by this grant:
    • Richards S
    Project Total: $15,000; The Specified personnel will assist CSIRO in completing the Project as detailed in the attached Head Agreement. Specifically, the Specified Personnel will develop a simple deterministic, discrete-time population model for Natator depressus, which will be incorporated into a management-decision model. Optimal decisions will be determined by applying stochastic dynamic programming to a stochastic version of the population model. Funded by: CSIRO-Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation ($15,000); University of Tasmania.
  • CONSULTANCY/CONTRACT RESEARCH
    Outcome mapping and developing adaptation pathways for the Northwest Shelf Flatback Turtle Conservation Program
    CSIRO-Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation1 Jan 2019 - 31 Dec 2019
    People funded by this grant:
    • Richards S
    Project Total: $10,000; Develop a simple deterministic, discrete-time population model for Natator depressus, which will be incorporated into a management-decision model. Optimal decisions will be determined by applying stochastic dynamic programming to a stochastic version of the population model. Funded by: CSIRO-Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation ($10,000); University of Tasmania.
  • GRANT
    Expert Working Group on Benchmarks for Ecosystem Assessment under EBFM
    Lenfest Ocean Program14 Feb 2018 - 20 Dec 2019
    People funded by this grant:
    • Fulton B,
    • Sainsbury K,
    • Smith D,
    • Blanchard J,
    • Richards S
    Project Total: $940,446; To support the implementation of practical ecosystem-based fisheries management, including: (1) the determination of reliable indicators of ecosystem structure and function; (2) robustness of the methods across levels of data availability; (3) appropriate reference points; and (4) the inclusion of these indicators in existing fisheries management regimes. This will cover support for both the theoretical underpinnings but also empirical application via engagement with local managers and modelling experts at case study locations. Funded by: Lenfest Ocean Program - Grant; CSIRO-Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation; University of Tasmania.