Sean Connell

Marine Ecologist

[Great Southern Reef Foundation @GSR_Australia]

We’re pleased to share that GSR Research Partnership Members Professor Thomas Wernberg @twernberg and Professor Sean Connell @Sean4Sea have been honoured with the 2025 ITRS Award for ‘Life-long Service and Contributions to Marine Science’ from the International Temperate Reefs Community. This recognition highlights their decades of leadership and lasting impact on temperate reef science globally.

[The Economist @TheEconomist]

A new book demolishes the underlying concept of “Western” or “European” civilisation. Even seasoned history buffs will find much that is new and fascinating https://t.co/CyfolsjFTb 👇

[Bronwyn Gillanders @BronGillanders]

Looking forward to @WOMADelaide #PlanetTalks Ocean of Change Monday 11 March 1pm.

[Bronwyn Gillanders @BronGillanders]

Excellent #BaySheffield #athletics in #Adelaide. Excited to say Zac won select #mile - kudos to Wados, Bailey & others all helping! Brilliant coach @Nittaz at @UniofAdelaide Athletics Club. #proudparent!

[Michael Nitschke @Nittaz]

Team effort from the boys from Adelaide Uni, especially @harrison___wade to pull through Baz + eventual winner Zac Connell for a selected mile Bay Sheffield win and into the history books! Some of the most coachable humans I know! Surely proud parents @Sean4Sea @BronGillanders

[Sean Connell @Sean4Sea]

This has been a truly transformative project through multidisciplinary research in science, engineering, policy-development and now legislative change. All underpinned by a group of ‘can do’ personalities coming together at the right time - a very rare coincidence.

[Chief Scientist for South Australia @sachiefsci]

Congratulations to the Science to revive lost oyster reefs team! Winners of the Excellence in Science and Industry Collaboration Award at the 2023 #SAScienceAwards 🎉👏

@Sean4Sea @UniofAdelaide

[Sean Connell @Sean4Sea]

Bronwyn Gillanders @BronGillanders a new Fellow of the Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering. Have had outstanding discussions on the challenges facing trans-disciplinary research and teaching.

[AusOcean @ausocean]

We're thrilled to share that, in collaboration with our partners - @UniofAdelaide @SAEnvirWater and @nature_org - we've been recognised as a finalist in the #SAScienceAwards! Our collaboration restored an extinct reef ecosystem off Glenelg.

#TechForGood #restoration

[Great Southern Reef Foundation @GSR_Australia]

Environment Minister @tanya_plibersek shares concern of scientists towards marine heatwave predicted to impact the #greatsouthernreef this summer.

@smh 🔗 https://t.co/oOjP59LlHM

@adriatix
@SBennett_131
@GrettaPecl
@gedgar33
@ScottDLing
@twernberg
@Sean4Sea
@FrancisPrue

[AusOcean @ausocean]

Our founder @scruzin deploying some new tech from his surfboard. First in the pool, now in the ocean. Always exciting putting new tech in the ocean 🌊 #TechForGood

[Sean Connell @Sean4Sea]

@BronGillanders @ATSE_au @UofA_SET @environmentinst @AustSocFishBiol @UniofAdelaide @DrNinaMarina Very proud. Very proud. Hope you are enjoying Chille. Obe gives a big ‘woof’.

[Harrison Schenck @FractionalList]

Amazing image below

A core parenting belief of mine:

One of the most important things we can do for our kids is help them learn the power of their imaginations

But you have to contend with the constant onslaught of overstimulating screens

Here's 2 ways we beat screens:

First: reading, every day, no exceptions

In addition to the obvious benefits of being a strong reader, stories in books help open up the imagination and broaden our kids' worlds.

They expand their ideas of what's possible. My advice is start the reading habit as early as possible, and let your kids see you reading as often as you can

Second: audio stories

As an alternative to screens, we listen to audio stories (I even create one for 3-8 year olds that I'll link in a follow-up post). We listen to them together with our oldest son. You can SEE him engaging with the audio in a way he never does with screens. You can see his brain working. You can see him filling in the blanks in his mind.

Whereas if he was just watching a screen, there are no blanks to fill in. No imagining, no envisioning. Just consuming.

"Imagination rules the world"

- Napoleon Bonaparte

This quote is more powerful than people realize

It's impossible to build anything if you can't first imagine it

Everything ever created by man first existed in someone's imagination

Imagination is a muscle. And too much screen time just atrophies it.

[Sean Connell @Sean4Sea]

Winter ecology appears to be an overlooked part of climate research and interactions with multiple stressors.

[Sean Connell @Sean4Sea]

What you study generally matters more than University Rankings. The 1980s boom in graduate earnings is less now. Tight labour markets and a desire for more diverse workers help explain why. Choosing your degree is crucial to earning power.

https://t.co/RdMBJ0v4uj

[Sean Connell @Sean4Sea]

@steve_doo @UHHilo Congratulations Steve - I think that you will be a good mentor to those that follow you.

[Jonathan Leung @jleung0919]

A new story of the decline effect in #ocean #acidification research, using #marine calcifying #animals🦪🐚🦀
Let's explore the causes with a meta-analysis of studies across 24 years🤓
A paper in @NatureClimate
👉https://t.co/8iKMsmclj4
Please RT @NaturePortfolio @Sean4Sea @SoBSPA

[Sean Connell @Sean4Sea]

Some reproducibility of OA research has caused a loss of confidence. Yet, the potency of global replication by researchers has created needed validation.

Replication is a powerful force.

The paper: https://t.co/v8D3AAxqPh

Behind the paper: https://t.co/0iGBuoVNjg

[Great Southern Reef Foundation @GSR_Australia]

Port Noarlunga Reef Sanctuary Zone. Draped in golden kelp of the #GreatSouthernReef, it's a diver's paradise. Let's cherish our local wonders. What's your local? Share with #GSRLocal

[Sean Connell @Sean4Sea]

Marine Ecology undergrad course @UniofAdelaide : our seminar room is a beach, our accommodation is a forest.

It’s not cutting-edge facilities that matter; it’s using our minds, it’s people that matter.

[Great Southern Reef Foundation @GSR_Australia]

🌊📸 GSR Local Hero Spotlight!

Kudos to Zoe Robinson of #Adelaide! She ran the @citybay_funrun , fundraising for the Great Southern Reef Foundation. Through her year 12 project, she's been showcasing the underwater beauty of #GreatSouthernReef with her photos, enlightening many!