What do you think of when you hear the word 'shark'? Perhaps the ''dun dun, dun dun" part of the famous Jaws soundtrack, or maybe teeth, or bites?

Understanding how people think about sharks, people's fear of sharks, and how risky people perceive sharks to be, are all important aspects of understanding the complex relationship between sharks and humans.

Dr. Brianna Le Busque, researches the human part of the human-shark relationship, coming from a background in psychology and completing her PhD in conservation psychology investigating people's fear of sharks, she is truly fascinated by people's views of sharks, and the impact the media has on people's perceptions of sharks. But why sharks? Well, they are a species that need conservation support- but they are also a perfect case study for understanding biophobia (dislike/fear of the natural world) which is Bri's area of interest.

Bri doesn't just focus on the phobia side though, she also investigates people's positive relationships with nature- biophilia. Bri is not only dedicated to inspiring emerging women in STEM through her position as a lecturer in environmental sciences at University of South Australia, but is also dedicated to promoting the importance of conservation psychology.