Stephen Hopper discusses a career in Taxonomy - Inspiration for people considering this career. Discusses the dynamics of one man's career.  With reference to our relationships with other creatures.

From 2006 to 2012 Stephen Hopper AC FLS FTSE as Director of Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew in London, led this powerhouse organisation of plant biology through it's 250th year.  He is now Winthrop Professor of Biodiversity at the University of Western Australia, based in Albany at UWA's Centre of Excellence in Natural Resource Management. In 2012.  He was awarded Australia's highest civilian honour of Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for "eminent service as a global science leader in the field of plant conservation biology, particularly in the delivery of world class research programs contributing to the conservation of endangered species and ecosystems."  He has six totems allocated by Noongar elders: Black snake, Kangaroo Paw, Eucalyptus caesia, Karak (Forest Redtail Balck Cockatoo), Honey Eaters (pollinators of Kangaroo Paw) and Honey Possum's (the tight squeezer).

Short takeouts:  Be a field biologist.  Two approaches to Plant Taxonomy; Hooker - herbarium specimens vs Darwin - reproductively distinct. Amateur contributions are important, helpful if they align with an institution like a museum or University.  An academic career also involves developing scientific writing discipline.

ecoconnect.me implications: An ecoconnection could spark an interest in field biology.  It could be a device for a parent or mentor to encourage this interest.  QuestaGame provides a game and a tool to empower field observations, contributing these observations to the scientific record.