Overview

I am an Ecologist with broad interests encompassing wildlife disease, wildlife management, behavioural ecology and human-wildlife conflict. 

I started my research career with a PhD in badger ecology, which involved using stable isotope analysis to investigate individual differences in foraging behavior and diet. Since 2013 I have worked closely with the National Wildlife Management Centre (part of the Animal and Plant Health Agency) on a range of applied research projects related to badgers and bovine tuberculosis.

In 2017 I started a Knowledge Exchange Fellowship funded by the National Environment Research Council (NERC). NERC's KE fellowship program aims to increase the real world impact of the science surrounding complicated environmental issues.

My KE fellowship is focused on bovine Tuberculosis, and involves working with stakeholders effected by the disease (farmers, vets and others) including the regional TB eradication groups (TBEGs). The primary aim of the fellowship is to work collaboratively with these stakeholders to increase the availability, relevance and impact of the science related to bovine TB. This fellowship is also an opportunity to learn from the experiences and practical knowledge of the community effected by the disease, and investigate how this can better inform and influence the research agenda surrounding this issue.

Qualifications

2008: Bsc (Hons) Ecology, Evolution and Behaviour (University of Durham, First class)

2009: Msc Applied Ecology and Conservation (University of East Anglia, Distinction)

2012: PhD Ecology (University of Exeter)

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Research

Research interests

• Behavioural Ecology
• Wildlife disease
• Wildlife vaccination
• Biosecurity
• Wildlife management
• Human – wildlife conflicts
• Foraging specialistation

Research Groups

I am a member of Professor Robbie McDonald’s research group

Research projects

 Alongside my KE fellowship I am also involved in several projects including:

• The development of a bait and deployment strategy for oral badger vaccination
• Investigating Badger visitation to farm buildings
• Wildlife population size estimation

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