Maria Ppiros is a PhD candidate in the Design faculty at the University of South Australia, Adelaide. She is passionate about her research which focuses on South Australian native flora, particularly Kaurna edible flora, to investigate how the role of botanical illustration as a pedagogical tool, in Environmental Education, can foster pro-environmental attitudes. Her interdisciplinary research places importance on encouraging human-nature connections by engaging with participants, utilising transformative learning and participatory research such as activity-based workshops. With a practice-led approach, her research aims to encourage ecological awareness, exploring themes of botany, health and food to challenge anthropocentric world views. Maria’s research also aims to challenge and decolonise historical representations of botanical illustration and to communicate Australian flora through a truthful botanical voice.

Maria also works at the University of South Australia, City West campus, as a casual teaching tutor and researcher.