EcoCommons Australia has been nominated for an Australian Museum Eureka Prize in the inaugural Excellence in Data Platforms category, recognising its role in advancing scientific research for conservation.
Developed as a national digital research infrastructure platform, EcoCommons brings together environmental data, analytical workflows and modelling capabilities in a collaborative online environment, helping researchers, environmental managers and decision-makers tackle some of Australia's most complex ecological and environmental challenges.
This recognition not only acknowledges EcoCommons’ role in enabling better environmental science, biodiversity research and decision-making across Australia; it also reflects the efforts of a multidisciplinary community of researchers, software engineers, data specialists, partner organisations and users who have contributed to the platform's development and success.
Dr Jenna Wraith, Head of QCIF Digital Research’s Sustainable Futures portfolio and Program Manager for EcoCommons, said the nomination was a testament to the collective achievement of the EcoCommons team and community.
"We're honoured to be recognised through this Eureka Prize nomination. It reflects the dedication of our team, the strength of our partnerships, and the incredible work of researchers and environmental practitioners across Australia who regularly use EcoCommons to support better environmental outcomes."
EcoCommons has its origins in Griffith University’s Biodiversity and Climate Change Virtual Laboratory (BCCVL), launched in 2014. Building on the success of the BCCVL, three additional virtual laboratories were established, and in 2020 they were integrated into a single platform, creating what is now known as EcoCommons.
Since then, it has supported thousands of users across universities, government agencies, research organisations and environmental consultancies and is now part of Australia’s critical research infrastructure landscape, providing access to advanced computational tools that help reduce technical barriers and accelerate environmental research and innovation.
Partners include QCIF Digital Research, Australian Research Data Commons, Centre of Excellence for Biosecurity Risk Analysis (CEBRA), Atlas of Living Australia (ALA), Australia’s Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network (TERN), Griffith University, UNSW Sydney, Macquarie University and the Australian Government’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW).
Professor Brendan Mackey, Director of the Griffith Climate Action Beacon at Griffith University and Head of the EcoCommons Advisory Committee, said the nomination highlights the growing importance of accessible data and modelling platforms in responding to environmental challenges.
"Addressing Australia's environmental challenges requires access to trusted data, powerful analytical tools and collaborative infrastructure. EcoCommons brings these capabilities together in an accessible platform, enabling researchers, environmental managers and decision-makers to generate the insights needed to make informed decisions for the future of our environment.”
Established in 1990, the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes are Australia's most comprehensive national science awards, celebrating excellence in scientific research, innovation, leadership, engagement and school science.
This year, the awards expanded to include the inaugural Excellence in Data Platforms category, sponsored by the Australian Research Data Commons (ARDC). Judged by an independent panel of experts, the new award recognises the vital role that data platforms play in enabling scientific research and discovery, celebrating platforms that deliver lasting value through ongoing development, maintenance and accessibility.
The EcoCommons team congratulates the other nominees and finalists and thanks the users, partners, collaborators and supporters whose contributions have made this recognition possible.
About EcoCommons
EcoCommons is Australia's national digital research infrastructure platform for ecology, biodiversity and environmental science. It provides researchers and environmental practitioners with access to environmental data, analytical workflows, modelling tools and computational resources that support evidence-based research and decision-making.
EcoCommons is a co-investment partnership with the Australian Research Data Commons (ARDC) through the Planet Research Data Commons (doi.org/10.3565/chbq-mr75). The ARDC is enabled by the Australian Government’s National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS).
