An interest in the application of science began while Ruth completed her applied science degree in Canberra. Work opportunities and a Masters degree in freshwater ecology followed as algal blooms  turned the Murray-Darling green, and Australians realised we needed to manage our waterways better.

Research on tropical waterways in Australia’s north was a stepping stone to a two-year stint volunteering in Cambodia with the Fisheries department. Interactions with different stakeholders (or publics) in these roles cemented her interest in bringing together diverse sources of knowledge to tackle natural resource management issues. Then in 2003 Ruth made the switch to communicating about science in knowledge brokering roles for a range of large collaborative research projects.