Russell has 22 years' experience in ecology research, teaching and management. His area of expertise is the ecology of stream invertebrates and fish. 90 peer-reviewed publications in international scientific journals and books. Russell has written 40 plus consultancy reports and given around 60 conference presentations. He has been the principal supervisor for 38 post-graduate research students. He has been a Quinney Visiting Fellow at Utah State University and an International Distinguished Visitor to the University of Birmingham. He is on the editorial board of the journal Freshwater Science.