Dr Maria Kleshnina awarded L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Fellowship
SAEF Chief Investigator Dr Maria Kleshnina from QUT has been awarded a prestigious fellowship which aims to support accomplished women researchers to progress in their careers.
Game theory may explain how to compete for resources, but Dr Maria Kleshnina didn’t need this kind of strategy to secure her latest success—she has won entirely on merit.
Dr Kleshnina, a SAEF Chief Investigator and ARC DECRA Fellow at QUT, has been awarded the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Fellowship in Australia in recognition of her research applying game theory to make better decisions for the environment.
Dr Kleshnina said that winning the fellowship was an incredible honour.
“I am especially proud to be the first mathematician to receive this award, and it is inspiring to know that my work can serve as a role model for young women pursuing careers in STEM. This fellowship not only recognises my research but also provides the means to support the next generation of scientists through mentorship and collaborative opportunities.”
As a game theorist, Dr Kleshnina studies how individuals and groups make decisions in situations where the outcomes depend on the actions of others.
“In my research, I focus on the evolution of social behavior and how mechanisms like inequality, information, and policy influence cooperation and competition. By modeling these interactions mathematically, we can better understand and predict human and ecological dynamics.”
At SAEF, Dr Kleshnina is exploring how game theory can be applied to develop more effective policies for protecting Antarctic ecosystems. In particular, she studies how Antarctic stakeholders’ strategic interactions, influenced by different incentives and the exchange of information, shape decision-making in the region.
“Understanding these dynamics is crucial because well-intentioned policies can sometimes produce unintended consequences, such as extinctions or unsustainable practices. By integrating evolutionary and behavioral insights into policy design, my goal is to provide actionable strategies that promote cooperation, resilience, and long-term sustainability.
Ultimately, I hope my research informs environmental management and conservation policy, helping policymakers make adaptive decisions that balance human and ecological needs.”
The fellowship will enable Maria to fund a research assistant to advance research on evolutionary game theory in policy design. It will also support the pair to travel to international conferences enabling them to gain research insights, professional development and participate in networking opportunities and professional development.
“More broadly, I hope this opportunity highlights the role of women in mathematics and inspires the next generation to pursue STEM careers, showing that mathematics can drive meaningful, real-world impact.”
To find out more at forwomeninscience.com.au
