File(s) under permanent embargo
Editorial for the Michael Bull special issue
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-22, 01:21 authored by Gardner, MG, Godfrey, SS, Erik WapstraErik WapstraSome scientists prefer an understated approach. Their writing and other scientific deeds are performed with efficiency and thoroughness, but with limited fanfare. The career of C. Michael Bull (Mike) was delivered in this manner. A quiet authority and dependability that was relentless. His opinion mattered - not because he was influential in scientific circles, although true, but because it was always reliable, honest, clear, concise and - on point. Mike had a brick in the wall approach to science. His approach was to investigate a problem, then use the results to inform the next question and repeat. His approach was grounded in empirical long‐term field‐based studies having been influenced by the Adelaide‐based Australian ecologist George Andrewartha whose mantra was that ‘answers can be found in the field’. As such, Mike led two particular long‐term studies - on sleepy lizards and their ticks, and on the endangered pygmy bluetongue. This long‐term field‐based approach was supported by judicious experimentation, systematically following up on previous studies.
History
Publication title
Austral EcologyVolume
45Issue
4Pagination
407-409ISSN
1442-9985Department/School
School of Natural SciencesPublisher
Blackwell Publishing AsiaPlace of publication
54 University St, P O Box 378, Carlton, Australia, Victoria, 3053Repository Status
- Restricted