Interests and background
Interests
Human activities are resulting in serious degradation of biological and physical systems, which is has major implications for human livelihoods and wellbeing (e.g. see Millenium Ecosystem Assessment and the Stern Report). My interests lie in contributing to understanding about what it means to be sustainable and how individual, community, and societal behaviour can be transformed towards more sustainable trajectories. This includes:
The nature of interactions between people and the ecological systems upon which they depend;The capacity of communities to adapt to environmental change;Biodiversity conservation;Methods for develop understanding about dynamically complex social-ecological systems, including interdisciplinary, participatory, and evidence-based approaches;Understanding how we can achieve real benefits for improving human livelihoods, wellbeing and environmental conservation;Sustainability education
Background
I consider myself an interdisciplinary researcher, using a variety of science and social science methods and collaborate with economists, ecologists, educationalists, quantitative modelers, social scientists, local communities and government and non government organisations.
1993-1997 B.Sc. in Zoology at the University of Aberdeen1997-1998 M.Sc. in Ecology at the University of Wales, Bangor1998-2001 Ecological and conservation projects in UK and abroad. 2001-2005 PhD at the Australian National University, Canberra. The nature and role of experiential knowledge for conservation - this included work with farmers and National Parks and Wildlife Staff about their understanding of the complex social and ecological dynamics of an extensive wetland system.2006- June 2009 Lecturer Sustainable Rural Development, Aberystwyth University2009 - Current Lecturer Sustainable Development, St. Andrews University
Potential Students
Motivation for my work comes from a desire to contribute in some way to achieving a more sustainable and peaceful world. If you share such a vision, are well qualified, and are willing to work hard, then I would be happy to hear from you.
