Leigh Simmons is an evolutionary biologist whose research has focused on reproductive biology. He mostly uses insects as study organisms, but has also worked on a variety of taxa from millipedes to frogs, mice and humans. His work has focused on the evolution of sexual traits, including exaggerated animal weapons and ornaments, genital morphology, and gamete form and function. He has been particularly interested in female perspectives in evolution, with much of his work focussed on female choice before and after mating. His interests in the female perspective have spilled over into a career-long effort to promote gender equity in science. As an early career researcher he held a number of postdoctoral fellowships in the UK and Australia before being granted an ongoing position at the University of Western Australia where he has been since 1995.
Most important experiences while at UWA
People and place: I have been extremely fortunate to be surrounded by a host of wonderful colleagues and outstanding research students, and my work at UWA could not have been achieved without them. Working in one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots has been enormously stimulating intellectually; our campus at UWA and its proximity to Kings Park and the Swan River provide daily inspiration, and are a constant reminder of the beauty of the biological world.
Where did you think you would end up, when you began your career?
I never gave it much thought. I have always focused on the here and now, reveled in the joy of scientific discovery and in quenching my curiosity about the how and why of the natural world. The career just happened along the way. Doors opened and I seized opportunities that allowed me to continue asking questions that excite me, about the evolution of Earth’s extraordinary biodiversity.
What are some of your most significant achievements?
Without doubt the award of an ARC Federation Fellowship in 2004 was pivotal. With the additional support of a Western Australia State Government Centre of Excellence award, it allowed me to build the Centre for Evolutionary Biology at UWA, which has facilitated the recruitment and retention of some outstanding colleagues, and has attracted national and international postdocs and other ECRs to conduct research and teaching at UWA. Personally, I have been humbled by the award of the Zoological Society of London’s Scientific Medal, a Certificate of distinction from the International Congresses of Entomology for “outstanding achievement in entomology for the benefit of all”, the Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour Medal, and election to the Australian Academy.
What has been the most interesting aspect of your career?
Broader engagement with academic societies: Academic societies are critically important entities for the promotion of science and of early career researchers, and I strongly believe in good scientific citizenship. An immensely interesting aspect of this for me has been in leadership in journal publishing, having held Editor-in-Chief posts for two society journals, Animal Behaviour and Behavioural Ecology collectively for over 20 years.
Where are you planning to go from here? Are there new interests you are looking to get involved in?
Nowhere! I am enjoying the freedom to more fully engage in research and ECR mentorship. I continue to supervise PhD students and am collaborating with postdoctoral researchers, on projects ranging from the systematics and biogeography of trapdoor spiders in the northern Jarrah forests, to the effects of diet on human health and fertility. I love writing and have two working projects, one a popular science book and the other an academic book on sexual selection.