Dr Ben Parker

As a Postdoctoral Research Fellow on the Future Fibres Network+ project, I am currently working to understand the environmental impacts of the fashion and textile industry. By working with a world-leading and cross-disciplinary team including chemists, materials scientists, psychologists, design specialists, industry and environmental scientists, this project will understand the impacts of current textile practices with a view to improving them. This project is funded by UKRI NERC, led by the University of Exeter and in collaboration with partners at University of Plymouth, University of the Arts London, University of Huddersfield, University of Leeds and the UK Fashion and Textiles Association. 

My research broadly aims to understand the magnitude, effects and interactions of aquatic anthropogenic stressors including microplastics, warming, eutrophication, parasites and invasive species to improve ecosystem management and sustainability.  My approach combines field studies, laboratory experiments and literature reviews, working across taxa and different levels of biological organisation, While primarily freshwater-focussed, I have been involved with marine and terrestrial research too. For my PhD, I studied the incidence and impacts of microplastics in freshwater fishes.

Outside of work, I enjoy sports, science communication, travel and reading.