Birds Australia’s Research and Conservation Committee is a subcommittee of Council charged with overseeing the Research and Conservation department. RACC ensures that the projects we do are relevant, strategic, and deliver good conservation and knowledge outcomes. It is made up of highly respected scientists and conservationists who donate their time and expertise for the good of our birds and the organisation. It operates under a Terms of Reference.

The current members of RACC are: Assoc. Prof. David Watson (chair), Dr. Penny Olsen, Dr. Mike Double, Dr. Martine Maron, Assoc. Prof. Mike Clarke, Dr. Andrew Bennett, Dr. Sarah Legge, Cheryl Gole, Prof. Stephen Williams, Dr. Graeme Hamilton (CEO), and James O'Connor (Research Manager).

RACC Subcommittees

RACC in turn oversees a range of specialist subcommittees and reviews their recommendations for Birds Australia Council. In consultation with the respective committee, RACC recommends to Council suitable persons for membership on each committee. Members of all RACC sub-committees generously donate their time to support Birds Australia. 

Threatened Bird List Committee (TBLC)

 RACC has agreed to maintain a list of threatened Australian birds. To ensure that this list is maintained at the highest professional standards it is agreed that all submissions be reviewed by an expert committee with delegates chosen from around the country.

This Committee answers to RACC and is appointed by Council. It operates under a  Terms of Reference and has a set of procedures it follows.

The initial Birds Australia threatened bird list was based on the Action Plan for Birds 2000, and the list is subject to ongoing assessment and review.

The current chair of the TBLC is Dr. Stephen Garnett.

Emu Editorial Board (EEB)

The Emu — Austral Ornithology is Birds Australia’s prestigious scientific journal, which has been published for well over 100 years. Bringing together the results of the latest bird research from throughout the Southern Hemisphere and the adjacent tropics, it is considered to be the premier scientific ornithological publication for the region. All volumes of  The Emu are available online to all subscribers and a full set of the printed volumes is available in the H.L. White Library in Birds Australia’s National Office, as well as at a number of university libraries. Members of Birds Australia are encouraged to subscribe to The Emu.

In 2008 a new Emu Editorial Board (EEB) was established to ensure that the journal meets and exceeds the high standards demanded by the wider ornithological community. The EEB comprises the Editor, Dr Kate Buchanan, and approximately 20 Associate Editors whose collective expertise spans topics relevant to the scope of Emu. Associate Editors assist in the selection of referees and make recommendations about publication of papers, advise the Editor in the development of editorial policy, and attract new authors to Emu. Editorial policy and performance of Emu are overseen by RACC, and Dr Mike Double is the EEB member appointed to liaise between RACC and the EEB. The structure and roles of the EEB are outlined in its Terms of Reference.

Atlas Advisory Committee (AAC)

The Ongoing Atlas of Australian Birds is one of Birds Australia's largest and most successful projects. It was established to monitor the relative abundance and distribution of Australia's birds. The primary role of the Atlas Advisory Committee (AAC) is to advise Council via RACC on scientific and conservation matters relating to the project. This committee reports to each RACC meeting, and operates under a Terms of Reference. Members are required to work in the best interest of Birds Australia.

The current chair of the AAC is Barry Baker.

Common Names Committee (CNC)

The Common Names Committee deals with the issue of which bird names should be used for Australian Birds, and operates under a Terms of Reference.

The current chair of the CNC is Andrew Ley.

Serventy Medal Committee (SMC)

The Serventy Medal Committee assesses nominations for the award and recommends medal winners for consideration by RACC. The award follows a set of guidelines, and the committee also has Terms of Reference.

The current chair of the SMC is Professsor Hugh Ford.

Australasian Ornithological Conference Organising Committee (AOC)

The AOC Organising Committee is currently working on arrangements for Armidale 2009.

The current chair of the AOC Organising Committee is Professor Hugh Ford.