Ants are an abundant, ubiquitous and diverse group of social insects that are key to the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems. Dr François Brassard is a Canadian myrmecologist fascinated by ants, which he studied through a MSc in Montreal, a research assistantship in Hong Kong and a PhD in Darwin. He is now a postdoctoral Forrest Fellow affiliated with the University of Western Australia. During his fellowship, he will research the ant diversity of Southwest WA, a biodiversity hotspot of global significance. His project will cover the fields of restoration ecology, biogeography, taxonomy and conservation.

He aims to better understand, to quote E.O. Wilson, “the little things that run the world”, for the study of myrmecology, but also to further the field of theoretical ecology and improve ecosystem restoration practices.

Besides academia, Dr Brassard is passionate about macro photography. Peering through a camera lens allows him to enter the “insect dimension”, while his photos allow a wide audience to peer into the minute world of ants. By combining photography and science outreach, he hopes to showcase the mesmerising diversity and fascinating behaviour of ants, to ultimately inspire the public to care and learn about this critical component of the Earth’s biota.