Dr Beavis has a background in environmental geology with a research and teaching focus on water.  She is interested in exploring the impacts of landuse change on stream discharge and water quality, and the cascading consequences for downstream water-dependent ecosystems and human communities.  Her work is concentrated in the Asia-Pacific region, including both continental and island environments across tropical and temperate ecosystems.  She has a particular interest in extractive industries, such as artisanal small scale mining in Indonesia, and  quarrying of river rock in island environments and how these impose profound impacts for local communities.