Biography summary
Raylene has been an academic at Deakin since 2002. A passion for education and research has seen her develop an impressive teaching and research portfolio. She has a dedication to creating learning environments which promote the development of skills in her students which readily transfer into employment. Raylene is a champion for creating highly stimulating real world field based education platforms, enhancing opportunities for work integrated learning, and encouraging engagement in global learning experiences. Her teaching is backed up by her strong research background in wildlife conservation. A passion for raptors has seen her working for many years on powerful owls and how they can be better conserved in urbanizing landscapes.
Raylene is the course director for the Bachelor of Environmental Science (Wildlife and Conservation Biology) where she has worked to scaffold work integrated learning, field based learning and global engagement across the degree program. She is also part of the faculty working group for work integrated learning, and is part of the faculty team driving the increase in global mobility of our students.
Research interests
Raylene is an active researcher with a focus on how disturbance processes such as urbanization, fire and introduced species impact upon our unique ecosystems and wildlife. Much of her research has seen her working on the outskirts of Melbourne tracking down the elusive powerful owl, one of the few native top-order predators still residing on the edge of our cities. Using spatial modelling and GPS tracking technologies with powerful owls has changed our perceptions of how predators can respond to urbanisation processes. Raylene is also an important part of our long-term research program in the Grampians National Park investigating the role of fire and climate change on small mammals. She has been part of this research since it started in 2008 and was integral in the team winning the Nancy Millis Award in 2016 for research that changes the way Parks Victoria manages its park assets.
Raylene has a dynamic research team of honours students and postgraduates working on urban processes, raptor ecology, invasive species and conservation ecology.
Teaching interests
Raylene has been a major driver of creating highly experiential learning environments in the field, the workplace and around the world. Encouraging the integration of work integrated learning opportunities across the Bachelor Environmental Science suite of degrees, has seen her become a leader in preparing students for the transition out of university and into employment. Creating a dynamic and exciting learning environment has been fundamental in Raylene driving the delivery of our highly immersive field studies programs and global environmental placements. A dynamic educator, Raylene has been recognised both at the University and nationally.
Units taught
SLE114 Introduction to Parks and Wildlife Management (Unit Chair)
SLE225 Global Environmental Placement (Unit Chair)
SLE230 Conservation and Land Management in Central Australia: Study Tour (Unit Chair)
SLE302 Wildlife Field Studies (Teaches into)
Research groups
Centre for Integrative Ecology
Wildlife and Conservation Biology
Awards
2020 Australian Award for University Teaching. National Programs Award for Programs that Enhance Learning
2017 Vice Chancellors Award for Teaching Excellence
2016 Nancy Millis Award for Science in Parks
2015 Vice Chancellors Award for Outstanding Contributions to Global Experiences
2007 Carrick Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning (National award)
2005 Vice-Chancellors Award for Distinguished Teaching
2005 Deakin University Award for Teaching Excellence
Publications
Evidence that post-fire recovery of small mammals occurs primarily via in situ survival
S Hale, L Mendoza, T Yeatman, R Cooke, T Doherty, D Nimmo, J White
(2022), Vol. 28, pp. 404-416, Diversity and Distributions, C1
R Cooke, P Whiteley, Y Jin, C Death, M Weston, N Carter, J White
(2022), Vol. 819, pp. 1-9, Science of the Total Environment, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
Does the foraging ecology of feral cats change after the eradication of foxes?
A Rendall, D Sutherland, R Cooke, J White
(2022), Vol. 24, pp. 1413-1426, Biological Invasions, C1
M Ray, J White, M Weston, A Rendall, S Toop, H Dunstan, J Hampton, R Cooke
(2022), Vol. 17, pp. 1-13, PLoS ONE, San Francisco, Calif., C1
Can NDVI identify drought refugia for mammals and birds in mesic landscapes?
John White, Jacinta Sparrius, Tomas Robinson, Susannah Hale, Luke Lupone, Tom Healey, Raylene Cooke, Anthony Rendall
(2022), Vol. 851, pp. 1-10, Science of The Total Environment, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
Using thresholds to determine priorities for apex predator conservation in an urban landscape
N Bradsworth, J White, A Rendall, N Carter, D Whisson, R Cooke
(2022), Vol. 228, pp. 1-12, Landscape and Urban Planning, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
Anthony Rendall, John White, Raylene Cooke, Desley Whisson, Thomas Schneider, L Beilharz, E Poelsma, J Ryeland, Michael Weston
(2021), Vol. 22, pp. 72-79, Ecological Management & Restoration, London, Eng., C1
N Bradsworth, J White, A Rendall, N Carter, R Cooke
(2021), Vol. 26, Global Ecology and Conservation, C1
Managing ecosystems in a sea of uncertainty: invasive species management and assisted colonizations
A Rendall, D Sutherland, C Baker, B Raymond, R Cooke, J White
(2021), Vol. 31, Ecological Applications, United States, C1
Where wildlife and traffic collide: Roadkill rates change through time in a wildlife-tourism hotspot
A Rendall, V Webb, D Sutherland, J White, L Renwick, R Cooke
(2021), Vol. 27, Global Ecology and Conservation, C1
R Cooke, A Rendall, M Weston, N Porch, N Bradsworth, J White
(2020), Vol. 22, Global Ecology and Conservation, C1
Christine Connelly, Erin Lennox, Bronwyn Isaac, Vincent Aulich, Raylene Cooke, Michael Weston, John White
(2020), Vol. 120, pp. 304-312, Emu - Austral Ornithology, Abingdon, Eng., C1
Zonation of a small mammal community within coastal dunes
A Rendall, R Cooke, J White, M Weston
(2019), Vol. 217, pp. 206-210, Estuarine, coastal and shelf science, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
Joining the dots: How does an apex predator move through an urbanizing landscape?
N Carter, R Cooke, J White, D Whisson, B Isaac, N Bradsworth
(2019), Vol. 17, Global Ecology and Conservation, C1
Urbanization and raptors: trends and research approaches
R Cooke, F Hogan, B Isaac, M Weaving, J White
(2018), pp. 64-75, Urban raptors: ecology and conservation of birds of prey in cities, Washington, D. C., B1
Powerful owls: possum assassins move into town
R Cooke, F Hogan, B Isaac, M Weaving, J White
(2018), pp. 152-165, Urban raptors : ecology and conservation of birds of prey in cities, Washington, D. C., B1
Reduced gene flow in a vulnerable species reflects two centuries of habitat loss and fragmentation:
K Stevens, K Harrisson, F Hogan, R Cooke, R Clarke
(2018), Vol. 9, Ecosphere, C1
N Bradsworth, J White, B Isaac, R Cooke
(2017), Vol. 213, pp. 27-35, Biological Conservation, C1
Can owls be used to monitor the impacts of urbanisation? A cautionary tale of variable detection
R Cooke, H Grant, I Ebsworth, A Rendall, B Isaac, J White
(2017), Vol. 44, pp. 573-581, Wildlife research, Clayton, Vic., C1
M Weaving, J White, B Isaac, A Rendall, R Cooke
(2016), Vol. 150, pp. 87-95, Landscape and Urban Planning, C1
Fire and climatic extremes shape mammal distributions in a fire-prone landscape
S Hale, D Nimmo, R Cooke, G Holland, S James, M Stevens, N De Bondi, R Woods, M Castle, K Campbell, K Senior, S Cassidy, R Duffy, B Holmes, J White
(2016), Vol. 22, pp. 1127-1138, Diversity and Distributions, C1
K Stevens, K Harrisson, R Clarke, R Cooke, F Hogan
(2016), Vol. 116, pp. 323-332, Emu: Austral Ornithology, Melbourne, VIC, C1
Environmental sustainability in higher education : What do academics think?
B Christie, K Miller, R Cooke, J White
(2015), Vol. 21, pp. 655-686, Environmental Education Research, Abingdon, Eng., C1
K Stevens, G Holland, R Clarke, R Cooke, A Bennett
(2015), Vol. 10, pp. 1-14, PLoS one, San Fransico, Calif., C1
Sex-biased space-use response to urbanization in an endemic urban adapter
M Weaving, J White, K Hower, B Isaac, R Cooke
(2014), Vol. 130, pp. 73-80, Landscape and Urban Planning, Amsterdam , Netherlands, C1
A Rendall, D Sutherland, R Cooke, J White
(2014), Vol. 9, pp. 1-10, PLoS One, San Francisco, Calif., C1
Does urbanization have the potential to create an ecological trap for powerful owls (Ninox strenua)?
B Isaac, R Cooke, D Ierodiaconou, J White
(2014), Vol. 176, pp. 1-11, Biological conservation, Amsterdam, Netherlands, C1
Simplification of arboreal marsupial assemblages in response to increasing urbanization
B Isaac, J White, D Ierodiaconou, R Cooke
(2014), Vol. 9, pp. 1-15, PLoS One, San Francisco, Calif., C1
Bronwyn Isaac, John White, Daniel Ierodiaconou, Raylene Cooke
(2014), Vol. 39, pp. 963-972, Austral ecology, Richmond, Vic, C1
Environmental sustainability in higher education : how do academics teach?
B Christie, K Miller, R Cooke, J White
(2013), Vol. 19, pp. 385-414, Environmental education research, Abingdon, Eng., C1
E Hogan, C Campbell, K Harrison, D Milledge, R Cooke
(2013), Vol. 159, pp. 313-320, Biological conservation, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
V Hurley, J White, R Cooke
(2013), Vol. 40, pp. 269-280, Wildlife research, Melbourne, Vic., C1
Response of a cryptic apex predator to a complete urban to forest gradient
B Isaac, J White, D Ierodiaconou, R Cooke
(2013), Vol. 40, pp. 427-436, Wildlife research, Melbourne, Vic., C1
Short-term impact of a mega-fire on small mammal communities during prolonged drought
M Stevens, J White, R Cooke
(2012), Vol. 124, pp. 61-70, Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria, Melbourne, Vic., C1
R Bilney, R Cooke, J White
(2011), Vol. 61, pp. 29-47, Animal biology, Leiden, Netherlands, C1
R Bilney, J White, F L'Hotellier, R Cooke
(2011), Vol. 111, pp. 92-99, Emu, Collingwood, Vic., C1
The distribution of three nocturnal bird species across a suburban forest gradient
M Weaving, J White, B Isaac, R Cooke
(2011), Vol. 111, pp. 52-58, Emu, Collingwood, Vic., C1
R Bilney, J White, R Cooke
(2011), Vol. 59, pp. 302-311, Australian journal of zoology, Collingwood, Vic., C1
F Hogan, R Cooke
(2010), Vol. 110, pp. 178-184, Emu, Collingwood, Vic., C1
N De Bondi, J White, M Stevens, R Cooke
(2010), Vol. 37, pp. 456-465, Wildlife research, Collingwood, Vic., C1
R Bilney, R Cooke, J White
(2010), Vol. 143, pp. 52-59, Biological conservation, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
The effect of artificial night light on the abundance of nocturnal birds
M Weaving, R Cooke
(2010), Vol. 127, pp. 192-195, Victorian naturalist, Blackburn, Vic., C1-1
The response of ground and bark foraging insectivorous birds across an urban-forest gradient
S Trollope, J White, R Cooke
(2009), Vol. 93, pp. 142-150, Landscape and urban planning, Amsterdam, Netherlands, C1
Reverse ascertainment bias in microsatellite allelic diversity in owls (Aves, Strigiformes)
F Hogan, R Cooke, J Norman
(2009), Vol. 10, pp. 635-638, Conservation genetics, Dordrecht , Netherlands, C1
Conservation biology : a crisis discipline
F Hogan, R Cooke
(2009), Vol. 126, pp. 92-97, The Victorian naturalist, Melbourne, Vic., C1
J Pascoe, R Cooke, J White
(2008), Vol. 120, pp. 206-215, Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria, Melbourne, Vic., C1
B Isaac, R Cooke, D Simmons, F Hogan
(2008), Vol. 84, pp. 212-218, Landscape and urban planning, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
Optimizing the use of shed feathers for genetic analysis
F Hogan, R Cooke, C Burridge, J Norman
(2008), Vol. 8, pp. 561-567, Molecular ecology resources, Oxford, England, C1
V Hurley, F Hogan, J White, R Cooke
(2007), Vol. 34, pp. 54-58, Wildlife research, Collingwood, Vic., C1
F Hogan, C Burridge, R Cooke, J Norman
(2007), Vol. 7, pp. 1305-1307, Molecular ecology notes, Oxford, England, C1
Understanding student expectations in developing environmental science courses
R Cooke, K Miller, J White
(2006), Vol. 13, pp. 9-20, International journal of learning, Altona, Vic, C1
R Cooke, R Wallis, F Hogan, J White, A Webster
(2006), Vol. 33, pp. 199-206, Wildlife research, Collingwood, Vic., C1
R Bilney, R Cooke, J White
(2006), Vol. 33, pp. 17-24, Wildlife research, East Melbourne, Vic., C1
Methods of marking juvenile Powerful Owls in Melbourne, Australia
R Cooke, F Hogan, R Wallis, V Hurley
(2005), pp. 1-13, Towards conservation of Asian raptors through science and action : Proceedings of the 4th Symposium on Asian Raptors 2005, Perak, Malaysia, E1-1
A non-invasive sampling strategy for mapping genetic variation of the Powerful Owl in Australia
F Hogan, R Cooke, J Norman, C Burridge
(2005), pp. 200-208, Towards conservation of Asian raptors through science and action : Proceedings of the 4th Symposium on Asian Raptors 2005, Perak, Malaysia, E1-1
Urbanisation and the ecology of powerful owls ninox strenua in outer Melbourne, Victoria
R Cooke, R Wallis, A Webster
(2002), pp. 100-106, Ecology and conservation of owls, Collingwood, Vic., B1
R Cooke, R Wallis, J White
(2002), Vol. 36, pp. 294-299, Journal of raptor research, Hastings, Minn., C1
A Webster, R Cooke, G Jameson, R Wallis
(1999), Vol. 99, pp. 80-83, Emu: Austral Ornithology, Melbourne, Vic., C1-1
Funded Projects at Deakin
Other Public Sector Funding
Long-term responses of wildlife populations to landscape-scale wildfire: Grampians National Park case study
A/Prof John White, A/Prof Raylene Cooke
Parks Victoria Grant - Research CAT2-2-1
- 2022: $33,000
- 2021: $9,000
- 2020: $14,000
- 2019: $24,000
- 2018: $9,000
- 2017: $20,000
- 2016: $36,500
- 2015: $35,000
- 2013: $30,000
- 2012: $25,000
- 2010: $10,000
- 2009: $5,000
- 2008: $15,000
DNA fingerprinting the Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua) across Victoria
A/Prof Raylene Cooke, Dr Janette Norman
Parks Victoria Grant - Research
- 2007: $2,300
Spatial ecology of top-order predators across a gradient of urbanized parks
A/Prof Raylene Cooke, A/Prof John White
Parks Victoria Grant - Research
- 2007: $8,400
Response of masked and sooty owls to intensive and long-term fox baiting in Cape Conran Coastal park
A/Prof John White, A/Prof Raylene Cooke, Mr Andrew Murray
Parks Victoria Grant - Research
- 2007: $5,200
Springing ecological traps: Prompting Powerful Owl breeding in urban remnants by manipulating breeding resources
A/Prof Raylene Cooke, A/Prof John White
Parks Victoria Grant - Research
- 2008: $2,000
- 2006: $9,500
Movement ecology of a top-order predator in an urbanizing landscape: Powerful owls and their response to urbanisation
A/Prof Raylene Cooke, Mr Nicholas Bradsworth, A/Prof John White
Yarra Ranges Shire - research, Whitehorse City Council, Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, Nillumbik Shire Council - ABN 64 487 894 794
- 2020: $800
- 2019: $500
- 2018: $2,000
Assessing the effectiveness of quail callers in attracting stubble quail.
A/Prof Raylene Cooke, A/Prof John White, A/Prof Mike Weston
Game Management Authority
- 2021: $6,477
- 2020: $14,659
Movement and spatial ecology of Powerful Owls (Ninox strenua)
A/Prof Raylene Cooke, A/Prof John White, Mr Nick Carter
Whitehorse City Council, Surf Coast Shire Grant - Research
- 2022: $500
- 2021: $1,000
Spatial ecology and population estimation of long-nose potoroo in the Gariwerd-Grampians landscape
A/Prof John White, Mr Luke Lupone, A/Prof Raylene Cooke
Parks Victoria Grant - Research CAT2-4
- 2022: $5,000
Spatial ecology of Powerful Owls on the Mornington Peninsula.
A/Prof Raylene Cooke, A/Prof John White, Mr Nicholas Carter
Mornington Peninsula Shire Council
- 2022: $12,000
Oliver's Creek Powerful Owl Management
A/Prof Raylene Cooke, A/Prof John White, Mr Nick Carter
MWC Grant - Research - Melbourne Water Corporation
- 2022: $7,398
Industry and Other Funding
Spatial ecology of top-order predators using innovative GPS technologies
A/Prof Raylene Cooke, Miss Bronwyn Isaac
Birds Australia Grant - Stuart Leslie Bird Research Award
- 2007: $1,364
Factors affecting the breeding success of Peregrine Falcons (Falco peregrinus macropus): Implications for management and conservation
A/Prof Raylene Cooke, A/Prof John White, Mr Victor Hurley
ANZCT Grant - Holsworth Wildlife Research Fund - closed
- 2006: $2,000
Co-existing native top order predators: their response to mass extinction and decline of ground mammals
A/Prof Raylene Cooke, A/Prof John White, Mr Rohan Bilney
ANZCT Grant - Holsworth Wildlife Research Fund - closed
- 2008: $5,000
- 2007: $5,000
- 2006: $4,000
Spatial ecology of the tawny frogmouth in an urban landscape
A/Prof Raylene Cooke, A/Prof John White, Ms Marian Weaving
ANZCT Grant - Holsworth Wildlife Research Fund - closed
- 2012: $7,500
- 2010: $2,500
- 2009: $10,400
Geographical Information Systems: Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua) home ranges and resource use in habitats with varying gradients of urbanization
A/Prof Raylene Cooke, A/Prof John White, Miss Bronwyn Isaac
ANZCT Grant - Holsworth Wildlife Research Fund - closed
- 2006: $4,500
Behaviour and ecology of the tawny frogmouth in an urban landscape
A/Prof Raylene Cooke, A/Prof John White, Dr Fiona Hogan, Ms Marian Weaving
Aust Geographic Society Grant - Research
- 2010: $2,500
The Ecology and Behaviour of the Grey-crowned Babbler Pomatostomus temporalis
A/Prof Raylene Cooke, Ms Kate Stevens, Prof Andrew Bennett, Dr Rohan Clarke
Birds Australia Grant - Stuart Leslie Bird Research Award
- 2010: $4,545
The Ecology and Behaviour of the Grey-crowned Babbler Pomatostomus temporalis
A/Prof Raylene Cooke, Ms Kate Stevens, Prof Andrew Bennett, Dr Rohan Clarke
ANZCT Grant - Holsworth Wildlife Research Fund - closed
- 2012: $7,500
- 2011: $6,000
- 2010: $6,000
Mesopredator interactions and prey preferences in Australia
A/Prof John White, Ms Eloise Dowd, Prof Euan Ritchie, A/Prof Raylene Cooke
ANZCT Grant - Holsworth Wildlife Research Fund - closed
- 2012: $6,000
The ecology and biology of the Grey-crowned Babbler Pomatostomus temporalis
A/Prof Raylene Cooke, Ms Kate Stevens
Birds Australia Grant - Stuart Leslie Bird Research Award
- 2012: $2,000
The Ecology and Behaviour of the Grey-crowned Babbler Pomatostomus temporalis
Ms Kate Stevens, A/Prof Raylene Cooke, Prof Andrew Bennett
Ecological Society Australia - Student Research Award
- 2012: $6,000
Effects of habitat fragmentation on breeding behaviour, mating systems and relatedness of family groups in the co-operatively breeding Grey-crowned Babbler Pomatostomus temporalis
A/Prof Raylene Cooke, Ms Kate Stevens, Prof Andrew Bennett, Dr Rohan Clarke
BirdLife Australia
- 2013: $750
Climate change, fire, and small mammals: The Grampians National Park case study
A/Prof John White, A/Prof Raylene Cooke, Dr Dale Nimmo, Miss Susannah Hale
ANZCT Grant - Holsworth Wildlife Research Fund - closed
- 2016: $3,500
- 2015: $7,300
- 2014: $5,000
Invasive species on islands: Trophic Cascades, Diet and Impact
A/Prof John White, A/Prof Raylene Cooke, Mr Anthony Rendall, Dr Duncan Sutherland
ESA - Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment - 20 571 098 795
- 2017: $3,200
- 2016: $7,500
Examining the effects of urbanisation on bird assemblages in Melbourne's urban fringe and riparian networks
A/Prof John White, A/Prof Raylene Cooke, Ms Erin Lennox
ESA - Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment - 20 571 098 795
- 2019: $6,605
Movement ecology of a top-order predator in an urbanizing landscape: Powerful owls and their response to urbanisation
A/Prof Raylene Cooke, Mr Nicholas Bradsworth, A/Prof John White
City of Yarra Grant - Research, Hillview Quarries, Friends of Glenfern Valley Bushland Inc
- 2020: $2,750
- 2019: $8,989
Identifying small mammal refuge habitat in the Carlisle heathlands
A/Prof John White, A/Prof Raylene Cooke
Barbara Wilson Pty Ltd as a trustee of The Wilson Family Trust
- 2021: $17,272
Movement and spatial ecology of Powerful Owls (Ninox strenua)
A/Prof Raylene Cooke, A/Prof John White, Mr Nick Carter
Geelong Field Naturalists Club
- 2021: $1,000
Nocturnal Bird Study Grant
A/Prof Raylene Cooke, A/Prof John White
Dr Marian Weaving
- 2022: $4,000
- 2021: $4,000
Tree Adventures (Belgrave) upgrade, Powerful owl (Ninox strenua) habitat assessment.
A/Prof Raylene Cooke, A/Prof John White
Ironbark Environmental Arboriculture Pty Ltd
- 2021: $4,365
Student application - Movement and spatial ecology of Powerful Owls (Ninox strenua)
A/Prof Raylene Cooke, Mr Nick Carter, A/Prof John White
Geelong Field Naturalists Club
- 2022: $7,500
Supervisions
Nicholas Bradsworth
Thesis entitled: Conservation of an apex predator in urban environments
Doctor of Philosophy (Life & Env), School of Life and Environmental Sciences
Kate Stevens
Thesis entitled: Species conservation in fragmented landscapes: Implications for the Grey-crowned Babbler
Doctor of Philosophy (Life & Env), School of Life and Environmental Sciences
Marian Jane Weaving
Thesis entitled: Ecology of an urban-adapted species over an urbanization gradient
Doctor of Philosophy (Life & Env), School of Life and Environmental Sciences
Rohan Bilney
Thesis entitled: Sooty Owl Ecology and Recent Small Mammal Decline
Doctor of Philosophy (Life & Env), School of Life and Environmental Sciences
Fiona Hogan
Thesis entitled: DNA Fingerprinting the Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua)
Doctor of Philosophy (Life & Env), School of Life and Environmental Sciences
Anthony Robert Rendall
Thesis entitled: Managing island ecosystems for conservation: invasive species management and conservation translocations
Doctor of Philosophy (Life & Env), School of Life and Environmental Sciences
Susannah Alice Hale
Thesis entitled: Climate, fire and fuel: understanding mammal population dynamics
Doctor of Philosophy (Life & Env), School of Life and Environmental Sciences
Christine Connelly
Thesis entitled: Exploring the effects of urbanisation on Eastern Yellow Robins.
Doctor of Philosophy (Life & Env), School of Life and Environmental Sciences
Belinda Christie
Thesis entitled: Environmental Sustainability in Higher Education: Academic opinion, practice, pedagogy & philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy (Life & Env), School of Life and Environmental Sciences
Victor Hurley
Thesis entitled: Factors affecting breeding success in Peregrine Falcons (Falco peregrinus macropus) across Victoria 1991 - 2012
Doctor of Philosophy (Life & Env), School of Life and Environmental Sciences
Bronwyn Isaac
Thesis entitled: Spatial Ecology of an Apex Predator over an Urban to Forest Gradient
Doctor of Philosophy (Life & Env), School of Life and Environmental Sciences