Overview

I am an animal geographer / anthrozoologist and environmental social scientist based in the Centre for Geography and Environmental Science (CGES). 

My research focuses on using social theory and research methodologies to investigate environmental challenges and conflicts; human relations with, and the sustainable management of, nonhuman animals; and the broader study of human-animal interactions (anthrozoology). I specialise in applying empirical research to contemporary conservation and environmental management issues, and particularly the management of introduced, re-introduced, and domestic species. I led the social research components of an interdisciplinary project that worked with cat owners to find effective, sustainable techniques to reduce hunting behaviour in domestic cats, without compromising cat welfare. My PhD research, focused on introduced and reintroduced species, led to the development of recommendations and tools to improve the effectiveness, sustainability and democratic credentials of wildlife management. 

Qualifications

2017 PhD 'Ecological Politics and Practices in Introduced Species Management' (University of Exeter)

2012 MA Anthrozoology (University of Wales Trinity Saint David)

2008 BSc Animal Behaviour (University of Chester)

Research group links

• Life Geographies

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Research

Research interests

• Collaborative, sustainable approaches to animal management and wildlife conservation
• Applied, interdisciplinary research that seeks to address contemporary environmental challenges and conflicts
• Anthrozoology and animal geographies

I am developing research projects relating to animal and environmental management, and am particularly interested in: 

• Ecological politics of wildlife management and environmental conflict
• Animals 'in and out of place', particularly:
  • introduced, translocated and re-introduced wildlife populations 
  • domestic animals in the wider environment, and
  • wild animals in domestic spaces
• Wild attachments: the integration of wildlife species and populations into community and cultural identities
• Nonhuman charisma
• Sustainable relations with companion animals
• Wildlife and environmental issues in visual media

Research projects

2021-2026 RENEW - Renewing biodiversity through a people in nature approach: I am a Co-Investigator on this NERC-funded, five year partnership programme aiming to put people at the centre of national biodiversity renewal in the UK. With the National Trust, I co-lead Ex-CASES, a solutions generator focusing on short-term 'missions' to address current, pressing challenges facing biodiversity. 

2021-2026 Fish Futures: Reimagining freshwater ecosystem management in Aotearoa New Zealand: I am an international partner on this project, led by the Cawthron Institute, which aims to bring together indigenous and pākeha voices with freshwater science and management to improve decision-making around the management of freshwater fish. I contribute subject expertise in relation to studying people's relations with introduced and native species, and expertise in qualitative and mixed social research methods. 

2017 -2020 Cats, cat owners and Wildlife: I led the delivery of an interdisciplinary project that worked with cat owners to explore the effectiveness and suitability of techniques for reducing domestic cat predation on vulnerable wildlife. I employed interviews, Q method, working groups and surveys to understand how cat owners think about and manage their pets’ hunting behaviour. I integrated this with ecological research on cat ecology and management techniques to further our understanding of the human-cat-wildlife triad, and to produce guidance for cat owners and interested organisations.

2013 - 2017 Ecological Politics and Practices in Introduced Species Management: My PhD research applied social scientific methodologies to understand and inform the management of monk parakeets in southeast England; Eurasian beavers in Devon; and grey squirrels throughout the UK. This research aimed to improve our understanding of the development, complexities and outcomes of social conflicts surrounding animal management and to explore diverse and emergent human-wildlife relationships. I identified multiple ways in which people respond and relate to introduced wildlife and explored how these differences can produce both socio-political tensions and accords. My findings also led to the development of recommendations and tools to improve the effectiveness, sustainability and democratic credentials of wildlife management. 

Research networks

I was a member of the EU COST action ParrotNet (a European research network investigating the spread, impacts and management of introduced parakeets) from 2015-2017. I also contributed to the Science and Evidence Forum for the River Otter Beaver Trial (2015-2020).

Links

• Profile: Wildlife Science Research Group

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Publications

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External Engagement and Impact

Editorial responsibilities

Associate Editor: People and Nature

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Teaching

Modules

2023/24

• GEO2458 - People and Nature
• GEO3467 - Human-Animal Interactions
• GEOM023 - Contemporary Debates in Sustainable Futures

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Supervision / Group

Postgraduate researchers

Alumni

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Office Hours:

2023/4 Term 2: This is my non-teaching term, so my office hours vary week by week. Send me an email to book a 15 or 30 minute chat.

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