Research
My research group focuses on using biodiversity to addressing Global Challenges. We are particularly interested in understanding what drives patterns of species and genetic diversity, and how we can use this to help people, agriculture and wildlife adapt to environmental change.
We work across a spectrum of scales from developing methods to piloting novel field applications and policy impact. Methodologically we use genomic and spatial modelling techniques, augmented by a broad range of collaborations including archaeology, economics and health and social sciences. We maintain strong collaborations with researchers in Ethiopia, Oman and Madagascar.
Our group is based at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in the UK and has been funded by GCRF, GCBC, NERC, BBSRC, DEFRA and philanthropy.
We welcome prospective MSc and PhD students as well as new collaborators who might like to develop a project proposal together. Please get in touch.
Current research projects:
Research Group:
Sustainable landscape management in Madagascar
Madagascar’s protected areas are islands of natural capital, upon which millions of people depend. Kew is leading a six year effort to developing a sustainable landscape management model for community-led forest conservation, carbon storage, and livelihoods enhancement across Madagascar’s [...]
Comparing the diversity of planted and naturally colonised woodlands in the UK
Many countries are seeking to expand forest cover. Often this is driven by incentivised tree planting programmes, but in some context forests can regenerate or expand through natural colonization. While planting trees offers many benefits and are may be [...]
Incentive mechanisms for agrobiodiversity conservation in Ethiopia
Incentivising the conservation of food crop diversity in Ethiopia by rewarding local farmers for conserving declining crop species and assisting both poverty reduction and biodiversity conservation. Agrobiodiversity is the variety of plants and animals that we use for food [...]
Post doctoral researchers:
Dr Harriet Hunt
Dr Guillermo Friis
PhD students:
Sophie Jago (with the University of Kent)
Asaminew Woldegebriel (with Addis Ababa University)
Bezawit Alemayehu (with Addis Ababa University)
Roberta McMorran (with University of Leicester)
Rachel Chase (with University of Greenwich)