Andre Badiou is the Leader Digital Curation based at the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan.
With a Bachelor of Applied Science in Biology, and a strong background in logistics, planning, and digital curation, Andre is responsible for leading the digitisation project of the National Herbarium of New South Wales' collection of over 1.4 million botanical specimens. The project is a significant undertaking aimed at preserving and making the collection more accessible online.
Andre’s workdays involve digitising specimens, performing data entry, planning project timelines, and engaging in outreach activities. He was part of the team that completed the first-ever mass digitisation of a natural history collection in the southern hemisphere, a ground-breaking achievement.
Throughout his career, Andre has received great recognition, including being honoured with the Outstanding Achievement Staff Award in 2019 at Botanic Gardens of Sydney, showcasing his dedication and contribution to the organisation. Additionally, he was part of the National Herbarium of New South Wales Digitisation Team, which won at the Department of Planning and Environment’s Planning, Public Spaces, and Local Government Awards in 2021.
What Andre loves most about his job is the combination of people, plants, and technology. He is passionate about the natural world and promoting the importance of science. When it comes to plants, Andre can’t pick a favourite – he appreciates all plants for their diversity and uniqueness, and enjoys eating them too!
Andre's career in the industry stems from his love for science, particularly biology and the natural world, with a strong interest in the conservation of natural history collections, plant physiology, evolution and genetics. He is driven by a desire to promote the wonders of plants and the importance of science to a broader audience.
Looking to the future, Andre envisions the Botanic Gardens will continue to share a passion for plants with the wider community, educating people about their significance, and actively contributing to conservation efforts. Through his work, he aims to inspire a deeper appreciation and understanding of the botanical world.
Andre is passionate about the combination of people, plants, and technology in his job, promoting the importance of science and the natural world.