Our team of experts work across habitats and species to understand the causes of decline and test actions to address them.
Science is at the heart of the RSPB’s mission, delivering the best evidence to support our conservation action. Our team of experts work across habitats and species to understand the causes of decline and test actions to address them. Learn more about our scientists below.
For any general enquiries, please email RSPBScience@rspb.org.uk
For media enquiries, please email pressofficelodge@rspb.org.uk
Conservation Scientist, Marine
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I am a Conservation Scientist for the Remote Tracking of Seabirds at Sea project, which is trialling the use of Motus tracking systems to answer gaps in our knowledge of kittiwake behaviour in Scotland.
I have been a field ecologist for over 18 years, with my work comprising a mixture of research, practical habitat management and species monitoring. My particular passion is seabird conservation and I have worked extensively in this field, tracking and monitoring seabirds in the UK and overseas.
Principal Ecologist, Ecology
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I have worked in the RSPB’s Ecology Team since 1996. My first involvement with the RSPB was surveying rainforest birds in Gola Forest, Sierra Leone in 1988. The main role of the Ecology Team is to use the results of research and experience to help ensure that the RSPB’s 220 plus nature reserves and its Priority Landscapes achieve their maximum conservation potential. Priority Landscapes are the RSPB’s landscape-scale approach to conservation.
I cover a fairly wide range of topics but currently spend a lot of my time on wetland creation and management. I also try and publish as much as I can, but with my main focus being on communicating best practice conservation management to practitioners. In many cases, this involves communicating the success of some of the forward-thinking and innovative habitat creation and conservation management carried out on RSPB reserves, such as at Wallasea Island and Ouse Fen.
Senior Conservation Scientist, England and Wales
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I am an ecologist with more than 40 years’ experience of research in woodland, farmland, and upland habitats.
My current role is overseeing RSPB’s UK research in broadleaved woodland and forestry. Projects involve identifying the cause of population declines and testing possible solutions for priority woodland birds, Hawfinch, Willow Tit, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Spotted Flycatcher and Wood Warbler. I also work with collaborators to look at impacts of woodland management, tree diseases, and woodland creation on woodland birds, these provide evidence that feeds into policy actions.
I provide scientific support on woodlands and forestry to other areas of RSPB's work such as policy, advisory, ecology and reserves.
Principal Conservation Scientist, Marine
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I've had the privilege of working on seabirds for nearly 40 years, in some of the most remote and beautiful islands of the UK, and North and South Atlantic. I have broad research interests in many aspects of seabird conservation science, to identify the causes of conservation problems, and likely solutions to inform future conservation action. I have worked on questions of seabird taxonomy, the development of novel seabird monitoring methods, the impacts of invasive non-native predators, understanding seabird marine distributions, foraging behaviour and diet.
Fair Isle Bird Observatory Trust Board Director
Licensed BTO bird ringing trainer
Head of Section, People
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After a BA and DPhil at the University of Oxford in the 1990s, I spent five years leading a team of ecological researchers in the ‘farmland bird group’ at Oxford’s Edward Grey Institute. This was the start of a career, since 2001 at RSPB, that has continued to focus on underpinning policy and practice with sound evidence, working closely with academic, NGO, business, government and statutory partners.
My approach has often worked across science discplines and I now lead an interdisciplinary team of scientists in the People Conservation Science team. The team focuses on the human side of conservation issues, whether that is understanding land use co-benefits and trade-offs between nature and other outcomes of value to society (Nature's Contributions to People) or understanding how people make choices affecting nature (People's Contributions to Nature).
Senior Conservation Scientist, Monitoring
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I am a landscape ecologist, interested in the conservation of biodiversity in human-modified landscapes, particularly in agricultural systems.
My work includes ecoacoustics and community ecology, and focusses on actions such as nature-based solutions to climate change.
Investigating the potential causes of wildlife population trends helps design solutions to better manage the pressures and problems arising from competing land use demands.
Conservation Scientist, International
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I am a conservation scientist with over 15 years experience in ecological and conservation research including extensive fieldwork in remote environments across a range of countries.
I am interested in providing evidence-based conservation solutions through an improved understanding of animal ecology and behaviour and the application of spatial analysis techniques to ultimately guide threatened species conservation practice, and contribute to effective protective areas. My research aims to deliver tailored management action recommendations wherever possible. I am also interested in human-ecosystem relationships and public health issues impacted by wildlife.
I have worked across a range of species and systems, including the Hainan Gibbon in China, Olive Baboon in Ethiopia, the Ground Parrot in Australia, and various other projects in Asia, Europe and Australia.
My current work focuses on identifying and assessing the value of community forests in supporting biodiversity within the Greater Gola Landscape, Liberia and Sierra Leone. My recent research includes investigating site-based conservation solutions (Key Biodiversity Areas), and assessing habitat use by migratory birds in West Africa to identify potential habitat preferences and resource use patterns.
2013-present: Member, IUCN Species Survival Commission Primate Specialist Group Section on Small Apes
Head of Section, International
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Many years working in conservation science across the globe has given me experience of problems and solutions in upland ecology, area based conservation including KBAs and PAs, intensive hands on management, satellite remote sensing application, turning science to policy, local and global impacts of land use change, and species conservation. I lead the International Conservation Science team, who deliver evidence for and support RSPBs international conservation work, including efficacy testing, and who work closely with BirdLife partners and secretariats. I have a wide range of interests in applied conservation science, and collaborate widely to ensure conservation action is evidence based, and hence having the greatest impact, wherever possible.
Conservation Scientist, People
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I am a Chartered Psychologist and Registered Psychologist with over 20 years' experience in applied social science. I joined the RSPB in 2011 and Conservation Science in 2019.
My social science research focuses on identifying solutions to conservation problems through developing people's Nature Connection and pro-nature behaviour. Understanding how to build people's Nature Connection in ways that encourage them to take action for nature, and evaluating interventions that seek to do this, potentially benefits both nature and people.
I have expertise in social science measurement. My research includes developing ENACT (Evaluating Nature Activities for Connection Tool) to evaluate the effectiveness of one-off nature events and I am currently evaluating the effectiveness of longer-term RSPB nature engagement programmes.
Conservation Scientist, Marine
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My research interests fall into two main categories 1) animal ecology and conservation and 2) applied statistics. Within animal ecology my research has focussed upon the spatial and trophic ecology of animals, with an interest in the causes and consequences of variation in foraging and dispersal behaviour at both the individual- and population-level. Much of this work has been conducted using tracking technology to study the movement ecology of seabirds. Such work has focussed upon using tracking datasets in an applied context to engage with marine policy and aid marine conservation. Future research goals include integrating movement ecology with other sources of environmental data (e.g. oceanography) and to better link movement data with broader demographic consequences.
My other main research interest is the use of statistical models in ecological studies. In the past such work has concerned how hierarchical models could be extended to model variation directly to answer questions about individual variation. In addition, my experience of working on large tracking studies has also led to investigation of how tools from data science and machine learning can be utilised by ecologists. I am also interested in how techniques such as meta-analysis can be used to give a broader overview of different fields of ecological research.
Conservation Scientist, Marine
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My main interest is ensuring the use of high-quality evidence for decision making in wildlife management, especially where potential conflicts may occur and started my research career with a PhD in invasive plant management. Over more than a decade I have specialised in using and developing bio-logging techniques to track individuals from a wide range of species but particularly wildfowl, waders and seabirds. My current focus is around better understanding the interactions between seabirds and offshore wind developments. This builds upon on my previous experience as a government advisor where I analysed bio-logging data to understand both spatial and behavioural patterns, such as activity and flight heights. I am also keen to actively develop training and skills within the sector to allow more data from difficult to study species or more complex situations to be collected safely and effectively.
Principal Conservation Scientist, People
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I am an Anthropologist with over 10 years of experience in the conservation social sciences, dedicated to exploring people-nature relationships. My research expertise encompass participatory methods, ecosystem services, socio-cultural values of nature, indigenous knowledge systems, community-based natural resource governance, and rural livelihoods. I employ participatory social science methodologies—such as scenario, visioning, and mapping approaches —to foster inclusive knowledge sharing and co-production with communities and stakeholders. As a Principal Conservation Scientist, I lead RSPB's international social science research in West Africa focusing on the Greater Gola Landscape in Sierra Leone and Liberia, and Ghana. My research explores local values, governance issues, and the social impacts of conservation interventions, such as agroforestry and community-based forestry initiatives.
Conservation Scientist, People
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My area of research focuses on land use scenario modelling and quantitative ecology to identify the synergies and trade-offs surrounding conservation and land-based climate mitigation. I also have an interest in exploring bird species responses to novel land use and land use change.
I’m currently working in The Centre for Landscape Regeneration which aims to provide insight into regenerating British landscapes using cost-effective nature-based solutions to provide broad societal benefits including biodiversity recovery as well as climate mitigation and adaptation.
Project Manager (Seabird Tracking), Marine
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I am an experienced project manager working in conservation, science communication and environmental education since 2012. Currently working on an exciting tracking project investigating solutions to monitoring the impact of offshore windfarms on seabirds my previous experience includes manging restoration of peatland habitats – supporting action on the climate crisis and flood-risk management.
Conservation Scientist, Marine
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I work as a Conservation Scientist in the UK Marine Science team. My research focuses on identifying threats to seabirds, through monitoring at colonies and using tracking technologies to understand how seabirds use the marine environment.
While I have worked with a wide range of seabird species in both temperate and tropical regions, much of my recent research has centred on the ecology and behaviour of burrow-nesting, nocturnally active species. This includes assessing the potential impacts of offshore wind farm developments and invasive species on petrels and shearwaters, and developing census and monitoring techniques for storm-petrels.
I am particularly interested in research with an applied focus that can help to identify and provide solutions to seabird conservation problems.
Monitoring Officer for Cairngorms Connect, Scotland and Northern Ireland
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I am an ecologist with 6 years of fieldwork experience carrying out surveys and monitoring for a range of ecological indicators to help us identify solutions and actions for landscape scale restoration within the Cairngorms Connect Partnership.
A large part of my role withing the ELSP phase of Caringroms Connect has been carrying out moth, bird and vegetation surveys and the delivery and monitoring of twinflower and mountain woodland restoration projects. I work alongside Pip Gullett to support the wider science of Cairngorms Connect and sometimes manage seasonal Research Assitstants and Volunteers.
I love studying ecological interactions at a landscape scale and can usually be found somewhere in the woodlands or mountains of the Cairngorms.
Duncan Halley and Dagmar Hagan, NINA
Dimambro-Denson, E., 2023, Field Notes from the Future, Cairngorms Connect, available at: https://cairngormsconnect.org.uk/news/field-notes-from-the-future
Senior Conservation Scientist, England and Wales
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I am an applied conservation biologist within the England and Wales Conservation Science team. Much of my work is focused on designing and conducting research related to wetland species and habitats, with a particular focus on breeding waders. I am interested in identifying threats to biodiversity and helping to implement practical and effective solutions. I have a background in translocation science for threatened species recovery, and exploring the effectiveness of landscape scale conservation measures in tropical habitats. I am the RSPB species lead for black-tailed godwits (Limosa limosa limosa) and I am a member of the RSPB Coastal and Wetland Nature Recovery Group and Translocation Advisory Group.
Principal Conservation Scientist, Scotland and Northern Ireland
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I am an ecologist with more than 20 years' experience in applied ecology and conservation. My work includes diagnosing the causes of avian population declines, testing solutions to conservation problems, and investigating how land use impacts nature and the environment. I currently work on upland science and conservation - this is split between research on priority upland bird species including waders, grouse and songbirds, and work on upland land uses including forestry, agriculture, recreational shooting, renewable energy, and restoration of peatlands and native woodland. I manage a team of 5 scientists working on birds and habitats in Scotland and Northern Ireland, and normally supervise several seasonal field staff and PhD students. I am passionate about ensuring that science is translated into action through policy and conservation delivery.
Principal Conservation Scientist, People
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Starting my academic career as a marine biologist, I have spent the majority of my RSPB career studying the effects of land management on the conservation of biodiversity. Intially this focussed on studies of species such as Tree Sparrows and Skylarks, in relation to farmland management, and the effects of of soil tillage on bird foraging.
More recently, my research has broadened out into ecosystem service provision and the trade-offs inherent in land use decisions, particularly with respect to climate change mitigation and lowland agriculture, from field to landscape scale.
Senior Conservation Scientist, Marine
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I am a seabird ecologist and have experience working on a range of projects and species in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans. The majority of my research uses remote tracking technologies to study the at-sea movements and behaviours of seabirds, and I am particularly interested in understanding the drivers and consequences of movement decisions.
Since 2022, I have been working for the RSPB's Marine Conservation Science team on a range of offshore wind focused seabird tracking projects with the aim of understanding the potential impacts of these developments on UK seabird populations. My research contributes to RSPB- and partner- led projects spanning from our smallest seabird, the European Storm Petrel, to one of our largest, the Northern Gannet, but with similar aims of investigating flight heights, variation in at-sea distribution and behaviour, as well as the impact of the 2022 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreak.
Principal Conservation Scientist, Scotland and Northern Ireland
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I have 30 years’ experience of managing Conservation Science projects with the RSPB, working across the UK, the Republic of Ireland and internationally, with the most recent years as RSPBs Principal Scientist for Northern Ireland. I provide scientific leadership for RSPB Northern Ireland within the Scotland and Northern Ireland Conservation Science Section. I collaborate on and conduct research over a wide range of terrestrial and marine conservation science subjects that are a priority for Northern Ireland species and habitats. This includes supporting several PhD students tackling a range of subjects.
Senior Conservation Scientist, Monitoring
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I am a Senior Conservation scientist within the monitoring team, having joined the RSPB in 2023. My research focuses on wildlife disease and understanding how we can mitigate the increasing impacts of disease outbreaks on populations. I have a background in disease ecology and epidemiology, having previously worked as a quantitative ecologist modelling disease spread in UK wildlife, and with a PhD on rabies ecology. In my current role, my focus is on diseases of wild birds which are driving population decline. Currently, my research centres on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), which has had devastating impacts on wild bird populations, both in the UK and globally over the past few years. In my role, I provide scientific support for the response to avian flu within the RSPB and coordinate the Conservation Science wildlife disease group.
Conservation Scientist, People
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I am a full-time conservation Scientist working for the RSPB having joined in February 2024. Currently engaged in dog disturbances signage work funded by Natural England that seeks to explore the complex variables surrounding dog walkers' beliefs, attitudes and choices around pro-conservation dog walking, and create new optional signage to increase lead use in sensitive beach nesting habitats.
In addition, we are currently developing a new strand of research exploring the utility of scent markers for guiding dogs away from endangered beach nesting birds. I am keen to add to my knowledge of scientifically informed behaviour change interventions and their effective implementation for solving real life problems.
Head of Section, Monitoring
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I manage the monitoring team within the RSPB's Centre for Conservation Science. Our research interests are in biodiversity and conservation science often focussed on birds, monitoring and indicators, citizen science, conservation priorities, wildlife disease, macroecology, and working at the science-policy interface. We lead and support a range of bird monitoring programmes in the UK and the production of the UK State of Nature Report. We specialize in biodiversity monitoring, developing nature targets, metrics and biodiversity indicators, and in applied conservation science. Monitoring helps us to identify problems and their causes, then track if the solutions we trial and the actions in place are working. Prior to working at the RSPB, I studied Ecology at York University, completed a D.Phil at Oxford University and held Junior Research Fellowship at St Cross College, before moving to work at the British Trust for Ornithology and then the RSPB.
Conservation Scientist, England and Wales
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I’m an applied conservation scientist in the England and Wales RSPB conservation science team. My research focuses on a range of terrestrial priority species across a diverse range of habitats, including arable, upland, wet grassland, woodland and heathland. A major focus of my research is the role of agri-environment schemes (AES) - where landowners are financially incentivised to implement environmentally beneficial measures - as a solution to biodiversity declines. Here, alongside my collaborators, I tackle questions on scheme effectiveness (how do target species respond), the effect of scale (how much AES is enough), and the role of spatial targeting (where AES is best deployed to maximise outcomes).
Whilst much of my research focuses on avian species, I’m also interested in cross-taxa decision support tools that inform multi-taxa solutions (e.g Biodiversity Auditing). A recent developing interest of mine is the applied role of novel remote sensing source in conservation, including LiDAR data for predicting fine-scale species distributions and thermal Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for locating wader nests.
Conservation Scientist, Marine
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I am an ecologist and ornithologist with a research career that has previously focused on the conservation of waders. Since joining the RSPB's Marine Section in 2025, however, my work has centred on seabirds, particularly the movements of European Storm Petrel. Despite the taxonomic shift, in both cases, my research has used remote tracking technologies to improve our understanding of a species' movements and habitat-use, which can be used to inform conservation measures. For Storm Petrels in particular, the increasing minituarisation of tracking devices provides an insight into foraging movements that would be otherwise impossible to observe. My recent shift into the world of marine research builds on a lifelong amateur interests in seabirds, and I have been involved in voluntary seabird population monitoring (shags, storm petrels and auks) since 2015.
Conservation Scientist, People
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I provide social science support for the work of RSPB and partners in the Greater Gola Landscape. My research centres on understanding tropical forest livelihoods and evaluating social impacts of conservation interventions. I'm also strongly interested in ways to improve conservation work through participatory approaches and other tools for promoting effective partnerships and managing power imbalances.
Conservation Scientist, People
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I am an applied social scientist with almost 10 years of experience in community-driven livelihoods research, climate change vulnerability and adaptation and rural development. Presently, I provide social science research support to the Ghana Livelihoods Project which is part of the Flyways Conservation Programme seeking to secure a network of sites along the East Atlantic Flyway (a bird migration route from the Arctic through Europe, West Africa and to Southern Africa). Along this flyway, the Guinea Savannah area of Ghana has been identified as a new priotiy landscape by RSPB. Our research aims to integrate nature conservation activities with sustainable livelihood interventions that directly or indirectly support biodiversity conservation and sustainable management of natural resources within the landscape.
Conservation Scientist, Monitoring
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I am an early career researcher in the Monitoring team. My role primarily involves coordination of national Scarce Breeding Bird Surveys. These surveys provide us with vital knowledge of how these species' populations are faring which helps to inform conservation action and evaluate the success of solutions. I also provide science support to Policy and Advocacy colleagues within the RSPB.
Previously, I studied upland breeding waders (primarily Curlew, Lapwing, and Snipe) in the Peak District National Park and North Pennines for my PhD with the RSPB and University of Sheffield, which formed part of the South West Peak Landscape Partnership. This research explored the causes of wader population declines, such as invertebrate prey availability, and assessed the efficacy of rush management from both ecological and social science perspectives.
2021 - present: RSPB representative on the BTO/JNCC/RSPB Breeding Bird Survey steering group
Orkney Native Wildlife Project Scientist, Marine
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I am a quantitative ecologist with five years of experience using varied statistical solutions to answer ecological questions. Currently I'm working on the Orkney Native Wildlife Project to eradicate invasive stoats from Orkney. I am also a seabirder and spend time each summer assisting with data collection on several long term research projects.
Senior Research Assistant, Marine
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I joined the team in 2022, and help deliver seabird tracking for multiple species in order to identify potential impacts of offshore windfarm developments.
My main interests lie in species monitoring and recovery, species reintroductions and island eradications. I have previously worked for the RSPB within the Species Recovery Unit, but also through partnerships on a variety of projects. Some of this work included the Gough Island Restoration Programme, Orkney Native Wildlife Project, Shiants Seabird Recovery Project and the Isles of Scilly Seabird Recovery Project. Before this I worked for WWT as Senior Aviculturist on the Great Crane Project.
As well as delivering fieldwork in these projects, I have worked with a diverse range of stakeholders, helping to secure heritage lottery funding in addition to managing and training large teams of volunteers and staff.
Conservation Scientist, England and Wales
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My current work is focused on developing solutions that can help reduce the risk of disease transmission in birds, a problem that has caused population scale declines in Greenfinch and Chaffinch in recent years. I am also involved in woodland bird research, including as RSPB species lead for Hawfinch. Previous project work has included species specific research for Yellow Wagtail, Skylark, Corn Bunting, Lapwing Spotted Flycatcher and House Sparrow, along with wider habitat based solution testing for agri-environment scheme development. I am a keen bird ringer and act as secretary for the RSPB Ringing Group.
Conservation Scientist, Marine
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I have been a member of the RSPB's Marine Conservation Science Team since 2021. I am a seabird ecologist with a research focus on the at-sea behaviour of Northern Gannets. I have worked with the Gannets at the world's largest Gannet colony, the Bass Rock, Scotland since 2015, during which time my research has included investigating flight heights, seasonal differences in at-sea behaviour, movements of fledgling birds, and most recently the impact of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). My research contributes to RSPB- and partner- led projects that aim to improve our understanding of where seabirds forage, how they use the airspace, and how disease and at-sea infrastructure influences survival and behaviour. I have previously worked for the RSPB as a project officer on peatland restoration projects and monitoring and protecting breeding birds of prey. These roles have involved working with large and diverse groups of stakeholders and managing teams of staff and volunteers.
Principal Conservation Scientist, International
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I lead a team of scientists providing the evidence to support the RSPB's work on international species and in the UK Overseas Territories. My research focuses particularly on the UK Overseas Territories in the South Atlantic and Pacific and in the Taita Hills, Kenya.
My research includes assessing the status of threatened species, identifying the causes of population decline and testing solutions to address these threats. This includes providing the evidence to support the design and monitoring of island and habitat restoration projects, and the development of management strategies to benefit biodiversity and local communities. I am also interested in exploring the development of novel biodiversity monitoring techniques (e.g. acoustics, eDNA and other autonomous systems), particularly in remote locations, and understanding how climate change scenarios can be effectively integrated in conservation actions plans.
The majority of this work involves working with local partner organisations and a central part of my role is supporting these partners and building their capacity and expertise. In particular I am keen to develop their science and data analysis capacity to help promote evidence-based conservation action.
Senior Conservation Scientist, Scotland and Northern Ireland
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I am an ecologist with over 15 years' experience in applied ecology and conservation science and am primarily interested in designing and testing solutions to conservation problems.
I am based in Scotland and Northern Ireland and currently lead on lowland breeding wader research in a range of habitats and landscapes, and on research to inform temperate rainforest restoration.
I regularly manage fieldworkers, MSc and PhD students and volunteers, and provide training in field skills, GIS and statistical analysis. I am the RSPB Species Lead for Redshank.
Conservation Scientist, Monitoring
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I’m a quantitative ecologist with expertise in fieldwork and the spatial dynamics of animal populations. My research interests include human-wildlife conflicts, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development.
At the RSPB, I’ve been working with colleagues to manage the State of Nature Partnership. This initiative focuses on improving how we collect, organize, and use biodiversity data to support nature conservation in the UK and its overseas territories. The partnership works to understand the status and trends of species, habitats, and other environmental factors, as well as the drivers of biodiversity decline. We’re also focused on identifying practical solutions and showcasing successful conservation stories to help reverse these negative trends and bend the curve towards recovery.
Head of Section, Operations
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I lead a team of seven administrative, technical, financial and project management staff in the Science Operations section of Conservation Science. Together, we represent the operational ‘engine room’ that underpins and supports RSPB's science.
Prior to this, I spent over 20 years researching and monitoring farmland birds, working at University of Oxford and completeing a PhD at University of Reading (interventions for Skylark and other farmland wildlife) as well as RSPB. My research interests include indirect effects of pesticides on birds, agri-environment schemes and their constituent options, as well as several farmland bird species including Yellowhammer, Skylark and Turtle Dove. I remain RSPB's Species Lead for Turtle Dove.
Senior Conservation Scientist, Scotland and Northern Ireland
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I have worked on UK bird research and conservation projects since the mid-1990s, initially at the University of Oxford carrying out field-based research on farmland passerines before joining the RSPB in 2000. I moved to Scotland in 2002, working briefly on Slavonian Grebes before undertaking a long-term study on the cause of Corn Bunting declines in eastern Scotland and developing conservation solutions, which became my PhD. In recent years I have studied breeding waders and seabirds in Orkney and Shetland, and current interests include Corncrake, Whimbrel, and monitoring key species' responses to the removal of invasive Stoats in Orkney. Upcoming work will involve a review of the impacts of onshore energy infrastructure on UK bird populations and identifying knowledge gaps. One of the most satisfying parts of my role is helping the wider RSPB team to understand the problems affecting bird populations, and to develop solutions that lead to positive action on the ground - halting and reversing declines is the ultimate but often elusive reward.
Principal Conservation Scientist, International
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I am the RSPB Principal Conservation Scientist for Global Land, with a particular focus on the Upper Guinean Forests of West Africa. My main interest is how conservation, policy and livelihood interventions (eg REDD+) can most effectively support multifunctional landscapes that deliver both biodiversity conservation and sustainable, equitable livelihoods that are co-created with, and work for, communities on the ground. I also have an interest in how such outcomes can be most effectively and efficiently measured in order to deliver rapid feedback to allow interventions to be improved. I work with both ecologists and social scientists, as well as RSPB's NGO partners in West Africa and the communities at our focal sites.
Prior to my current role, I was a Senior Conservation Scientist providing ecological and biodiversity specialist support to the Greater Gola Landscape, a transboundary landscape in Sierra Leone and Liberia which includes several protected tropical rainforests embedded within community lands comprising forest, smallholder farming and commodity crops such as cocoa, and is the site of Sierra Leone's first REDD+ project. I also have a background researching the impact of multi-national conservation policy on bird abundance and population change.
Head of Section, Scotland and Northern Ireland
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I am an ecologist with over 20 years’ experience in avian population ecology and applied conservation and I have spent a lot of time testing possible solutions to conservation problems.
I now manage a team of 15-20 scientists working to deliver the science needs of Scotland and Northern Ireland. It is my job to enable and support my team to be as brilliant as they are. I also usually have one or two PhD students.
When I get a chance to do any science, I have expertise in a range of species and habitats and my research has focused on using habitat, management and demographic data to understand patterns of occupancy and abundance at a range of scales from nests to landscapes.
I will always love breeding waders. I am passionate about science communication and in particular ensuring that science infleunces policy and practise.
Senior Conservation Scientist, International
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My work focuses on supporting local partners across the Caribbean UK Overseas Territories to address critical conservation problems through science and research. This includes seabird surveys and tracking, amphibian and reptile monitoring, conservation action planning, island restoration, genetic studies of threatened species, and protected area management. I have a particular interest in tackling the challenges posed by climate change, developing climate-smart, evidence-based solutions, and promoting nature-based actions to enhance resilience and safeguard biodiversity.
Conservation Scientist, Monitoring
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As a Conservation Scientist in the Monitoring Team, my work centres on species status assessments and the coordination of large-scale bird surveys. I led on updating the UK Birds of Conservation Concern and the Regional IUCN Red List assessments in 2023 and co-authored the 2023 State of Nature report. My current projects include national surveys for the Dartford Warbler, Woodlark, and Nightjar, and I serve as the science lead for the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch. At the RSPB, I have contributed to a wide range of research projects, including investigating the causes of Whinchat declines in the UK, studying Crane and Hawfinch ecology, prioritizing UK islands for the removal of non-native vertebrates, and coordinating national surveys for Turtle Dove, Snow Bunting, Cirl Bunting, Ring Ouzel, and Dotterel. Additionally, I represent the RSPB on the Rare Breeding Birds Panel.
Conservation Scientist, International
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I am a Conservation Scientist within the Marine Conservation Science team. Since joining the RSPB in 2022, I have contributed to projects focused on understanding the impacts of offshore wind developments on seabirds, conducting both field and desk-based research. I am currently involved in BRAIDS (Bird Responses to Avian Influenza and Developments at Sea), a multi-organisational project, examining the effects of offshore wind developments and avian influenza on seabirds in Scotland. My previous experience includes supporting productivity monitoring and tracking of multiple seabird species, as well as assisting with a review on the feasibility of potential conservation actions to mitigate the ecological impacts of offshore developments on seabird populations.
My main interests lie in conducting key ecological research to inform decision-makers on strategies to reduce, mitigate, or prevent threats to bird populations, bridging the gap between research and policy, and ultimately supporting wildlife conservation.
Prior to joining the RSPB, I completed a PhD on the migration and wintering ecology of Common Whitethroats in Africa, studied Harbour Seals on islands off the coast of Mexico, and conducted research on bird communities within an agricultural landscape in central Mexico.
Conservation Scientist, Scotland and Northern Ireland
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I am an avian ecologist. My research has been focused on the ecology of breeding upland birds, particularly but not exclusively waders, mechanisms for reversing their declines and developing conservation solutions.
At the RSPB, I have worked on a wide variety of projects, such as testing the response of breeding Curlew to habitat and predator control interventions at upland sites across the UK, modelling the effects of drivers influencing machair wader declines in the Uists, and investigating the causes of Whinchat declines. In addition, I have been involved in two national surveys: the Hen Harrier national survey and the Capercaillie winter national survey.
I have a wide range of fieldwork experience on birds and other taxa, particularly breeding bird surveys and upland moorland bird surveys. I have also developed skills in survey design, statistical analysis and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
Conservation Scientist, Marine
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I work in the Marine Conservation Science team, working on various seabird-related research. Some examples include: Project Puffin, an exciting citizen-science based project aiming to understand variation in puffin diet using thousands of photos of puffins carrying fish submitted by the public, which will allow us to investigate changes in diet over time and across different colonies in the UK; tracking petrels to identify important marine foraging areas; and surveys of seabird colonies to assess the impact of highly pathogenic avian influenza on numbers of birds returning to breed. I have a varied research background which includes an interdisciplinary PhD studying the ecological and economic importance of nectar-feeding bats in Mexico and lots of work in tropical rainforests.
Senior Research Assistant, People
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I am a social science researcher specialising in human behaviour change, and environmental psychology, particularly focusing on the human - nature relationship and nature connection. I have over 20 years of experience of connecting people with the environment both in the UK and overseas. I am working on the evaluation of RSPB activities that engage people and facilitates a connection with nature. I am interested in human behaviour change, particularly around understanding pro nature behaviour. Evaluating nature connection enables the RSPB to work effectively with people to develop a meaningful relationship with nature and promotes action for nature. This is important as human behaviour change can mitigate threats to climate and biodiversity problems. This is part of the solution for the protection of birds and their habitats for a more sustainable future.
Director of Science
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In this role I lead RSPB's Conservation Science team who deliver the natural and social science which informs all of RSPB’s conservation work in the UK and internationally. This role includes contributing to the development of the RSPB strategy; developing and embedding evidence-led conservation within RSPB; ensuring attraction, retention and development of RSPB scientific talent; building senior collaborative relationships and influence externally in order to build the strength, depth and impact of our science; and being accountable for the RSPB’s science budget and scientific income generation to ensure scientific impact within RSPB strategy. My personal reserach interests focus on the impact of of land use change and land management on biodiversity, especially bird populations in agricultrual and upland landscapes, and on the strengthening of evidence-based approaches in conservation.
Senior Conservation Scientist, Marine
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I joined RSPB in 2016 and work in the Marine Conservation Science Team across a selection of marine research projects. This has included: investigating geographic and seasonal variation in Kittiwake diet; trialling the use of bioacoustics to monitor burrow-nesting seabirds; assessing the impacts of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza on seabird breeding populations; and evaluating the effectiveness of conservation measures for Little Terns.
Project Manager for Seabird Tracking, Marine
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Since 2021 I have been part of the Marine Team's efforts to understand the impact of the offshore wind industry on Scotland's seabirds. I am involved in two multi-organisational projects, both of which use cutting-edge tracking technology to learn more about what our seabirds get up to when they disappear over the horizon line. I am also involved in ongoing work to improve diversity and inclusion in science at the RSPB.
Senior Conservation Scientist, Monitoring
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I have organised several UK surveys of scarce breeding birds since 1994 and am involved in the management of wider monitoring schemes including the Wetland Birds Survey and BirdTrack. I oversee bird surveys in RSPB Conservation Science and have extensive experience in organising national species surveys, since the 1994 national Dartford Warbler survey. My role in organising surveys and monitoring schemes has typically involved: survey planning, devising (novel, in some cases) methods; securing funding, primarily from Statutory Agencies and other Govt bodies; organising fieldwork (for short-term contract staff, volunteers and other staff from RSPB and other partner organisations); managing staff, often with teams of five or more fieldworkers; carrying out fieldwork myself - bird surveying, vegetation monitoring and habitat mapping; data collation, entry & analysis (use of ArcGIS, MapInfo, QGIS, R); writing & publishing a peer-reviewed survey papers; communicating survey results to a wide range of audiences.
Head of Section, Marine
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I lead a team of talented marine scientists to deliver scientific research and advice to ensure that our UK seabird conservation work is based on robust evidence. Collectively, we work on a range of projects to understand seabird population change and its causes, and to identify solutions to the challenges these amazing birds face. Our work helps understand how seabirds may be affected by renewable energy development, disease, or changes in fishing practice, and where the most important areas are on land and at sea for these wide-ranging species.
My primary role is supporting and developing my team of 15-35 (depending on the time of year) seabird scientists. They are an awesome bunch who deliver complex projects involving tracking seabirds using a range of bird-borne devices, surveys to count seabirds or to monitor their breeding success, survival or diet, and analyses of large and complex datasets to understand how seabirds interact with their environments. The team's work can involve camping in some of the most remote parts of the UK, complex negotiations with industry leaders to deliver seabird conservation alongside development, collecting seabird vomit and analysing the contents to understand their diet, or working with our many partners to develop new scientific methods. Together, we deliver world-class applied research to aid seabird conservation.
I represent the RSPB on a range of external groups with nature conservation, government and industry partners, largely in relation to finding solutions to the impacts of renewable energy developments on birds.
I am an experienced bird ringer and am passionate about training others in this specialist skill. I chaired the Bird Ringing Committee for Britain and Ireland from 2022-2025.