Michael Harvey – Director, Adelaide Botanical Gardens. “Not just a Pretty Garden: “Adelaide Botanical Gardens in the 21st Century”

Michael joined the Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium of South Australia as Director in 2021, bringing 20 years of experience in the museum, culture and science sector to the role. His particular focus has been on the development of public experience in museums of science and natural history.

Michael has held leadership positions in the Australian Museum and the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney, and at the Natural History Museum in London. Most recently, Michael worked as Assistant Director and Chief Experience Officer at the Australian National Maritime Museum, a role that blended ocean science and sustainability, history and maritime archaeology, and First Nations and migration programs.

At the Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium, Michael has overseen major capital works, a revitalisation of its public programming and significant growth in visitation and changes to the organisation’s governance and planning