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Perry Beasley-Hall, PhD

Hi!

I'm Perry (she/they), an entomologist and evolutionary biologist. I use genetics to untangle the intricate Tree of Life for the world's most biodiverse group of animals: insects.My research centres on species that have evolved in isolation for extended periods of time, such as cave fauna. My aim is to extract valuable evolutionary insights to contribute to long-term conservation outcomes, including naming new species.Outside of my day-to-day work I'm dedicated to public outreach, with a mission to inspire people to become insect advocates.I'm also passionate about elevating the visibility of LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent people working in STEM fields.

Research

Outreach

Education

My research focuses on the biodiversity hidden in Australia's subterranean environments: caves, burrows, even aquifers.Understanding how these animals have evolved gives us the best chance of conserving them—and their unique habitats—long into the future.Read more


I'm passionate about invertebrate advocacy and education.
I've contributed to scientific outreach through radio and podcast interviews, short films, art festivals, and more.Read more



Ph.D. (2021), The University of Sydney
HB.Sc. (2016), The University of AdelaideB.Sc. (2015), The University of Adelaide



Perry Beasley-Hall, PhD

Upcoming

2023

2022

2021

2020 and earlier

Journals I've reviewed for

  • Arthropod Systematics and Phylogeny

  • Austral Entomology

  • Ecology and Evolution

  • Insect Science

  • Invertebrate Systematics

  • Molecular Ecology

  • One Earth

  • Scientific Reports

  • Systematic Entomology

Perry Beasley-Hall, PhD

Media engagement

Speaking and writing

Service to organisations

Current

Past

Perry Beasley-Hall, PhD

Grants

  • Beasley-Hall, P. G., Austin, A. D., Cooper, S. J. B., Reed, E., Trewick, S. (2022–2025). Systematics and taxonomy of Australian cave crickets (Rhaphidophoridae: Macropathinae): an enigmatic and at-risk fauna. Australian Biological Resources Study National Taxonomy Research Grant Program. $300,000. Principal Investigator.

  • Shaw, M., Beasley-Hall, P. G. (2023). Solving the evolutionary puzzle of climate outliers: description of new cave and mallee mites (Dermanyssiae: Ologamasidae) as part of the Yalata Bush Blitz. Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. $15,000. Joint Investigator.

  • Systematics and taxonomy of Australian cave crickets (Rhaphidophoridae: Macropathinae): an enigmatic and at-risk fauna. Australian Speleological Federation Karst Conservation Fund. $15,000. Principal Investigator.

  • Papadelos, P., Beasley-Hall, P. G., Hewitt, A., Umbers, K., Guzik, M. T., Beasley, C. (2022). Science communication behind the scenes?: Interrogating the role of women in professional life sciences societies. The University of Adelaide ABLE Interdisciplinary Research Grant. $10,000. Co-chief Investigator.

  • Beasley-Hall, P. G., Austin, A. D., Cooper, S. J. B., Reed, E., Trewick, S. (2022–2025).

Awards

  • 2019: Award for best student presentation in systematics, Australian Entomological Society

  • 2019: 1st place for best talk, School of Life and Environmental Sciences Postgraduate Showcase, The University of Sydney

  • 2019: Postgraduate Research Student Support Scheme ($3,000), The University of Sydney

  • 2018: Graduate Student Research Award ($2,700), Society of Systematic Biologists

  • 2018: Phil Carne Prize finalist, Australian Entomological Society,

  • 2018: Postgraduate Research Student Support Scheme ($1,300), The University of Sydney

  • 2017: Early PhD Student Travel Grant, Australian Entomological Society

  • 2017: 2nd place for best talk, School of Life and Environmental Sciences Postgraduate Showcase, The University of Sydney

  • 2017: Australian Government Research Training Program Stipend Scholarship ($75,000)

  • 2015: Faculty of Sciences Outstanding Academic Achievement Award, The University of Adelaide

  • 2014: Adelaide Summer Research Scholarship at the Australian Centre for Ancient DNA, The University of Adelaide

  • 2014: Faculty of Sciences Outstanding Academic Achievement Award, The University of Adelaide

Perry Beasley-Hall, PhD

Current

  • ABRS Postdoctoral Fellow, The University of Adelaide, December 2022–present

Past positions

  • Honorary Associate, The University of Sydney, May 2021 to January 2023

  • Project Officer in Evolutionary Genomics, South Australian Museum, January to December 2022

  • Postdoctoral Researcher, The University of Adelaide, August 2020 to January 2022

Education

  • Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), The University of Sydney, 2017-2021

  • Honours Degree of Bachelor of Science (First Class), The University of Adelaide, 2016

  • 2013-2015: Bachelor of Science (Advanced), The University of Adelaide, 2013-2015

Teaching

  • Lecturer and organising committee member, 8th National Postgraduate Training Workshop in Systematics, The University of Adelaide, 2022

  • Teaching assistant, The University of Sydney, 2017-2020

  • Instructor, Taming the BEAST Down Under, 2019

  • Instructor, Sydney Phylogenetics Workshop, 2017-2019

  • Teaching assistant, The University of Adelaide, 2016

Professional development