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Prof Anne Goodenough

Professor in Applied Ecology

As Professor of Applied Ecology, I have teaching and research interests in monitoring, managing and conserving nature. These span optimising wildlife survey techniques and use of citizen science, evidence-informed management of species, and conservation of key habitats and ecosystem processes.

Biography

I have always been passionate about the natural world and the links between species and their habitats. The threats to wildlife have never been greater and it is vital to ensure that that practical ecological work undertaken by land managers and consultants is underpinned by the best available evidence.

My work involves working to develop and test innovative and robust ways of surveying species – including through technological approaches such as thermal imaging, camera traps, and acoustic sensors – to ensure data on wildlife are as detailed as possible. I also work on avian and mammalian conservation initiatives throughout Europe and Africa, where my role is to inform and evaluate management interventions.

I am passionate about educating the next generation of ecologists and conservationists. I lead the MSc Applied Ecology programme and also teach across the undergraduate programmes in Biology, Animal Biology, Zoology and Ecology & Environmental Sciences with a specific focus on ecological surveying, conservation ecology and avian biology. I publish regularly in international peer-reviewed journals, as well as writing popular science articles and disseminating research at conferences, involving undergraduate and postgraduate students in my research work wherever possible.

Qualifications

  • PhD: Conservation Biology (thesis entitled “Factors influencing nest-site choice and reproductive success in Blue Tit, Great Tit, and Pied Flycatcher”), 2008
  • PGCert: Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education, 2007
  • BSc Geographical, Environmental and Ecological Sciences, 2004

 

Professional Qualifications

  • CBiol. Chartered Biologist, 2013
  • FRSB Fellow of Royal Society of Biology, 2021 (previously member 2013-2021)
  • SFHEA Senior Fellow of Higher Education Academy, 2013 (previously fellow 2007-2012)

Awards

2013: Biosciences Lecturer of the Year (Royal Society of Biology); Runner up

2013: National Teaching Fellow

2006: Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment Essay Prize

Membership of professional bodies

Royal Society of Biology

British Trust for Ornithology

Higher Education Academy

Teaching & Research

Teaching

I focus on practical and conservation ecology, field biology, avian biology and biogeography. My teaching is highly applied and uses lectures, seminars, workshops, fieldwork, lab work and computer analysis to link theory to its practical application.

Undergraduate

NS5208 Residential Fieldwork – South Africa

NS5217 Ecological Impact Assessment

NS6202 Avian Biology

NS6213 Wildlife Conservation

NS6222/3/4 Undergraduate Dissertations

Postgraduate

NS7913 Field Ecology

NS7914 Applied Conservation

NS7999 Postgraduate Dissertations

Research

Anne’s research focuses on applied ecology: monitoring, managing and conserving species and habitats. She has a particular interest in enhancing ecological surveying through the use of technology. This covers topics as diverse as optimising acoustic monitoring of British bats, surveying African antelope using thermal imaging, using chemical stable isotope analysis to understand bird migration, and harnessing Twitter to understand ecological phenomena such as starling murmurations. She frequently collaborates with external organisations and regularly co-publishes with practitioners and students. She works on many different taxonomic groups, including microbes, plants, insects, arachnids, and mammals, and especially birds, which have always fascinated her.

Current research students

PhD Samantha Perks: Technology-based methods for monitoring of British mammals

PhD Emma Atkin: Parasite transmission amongst African herbivores and implications for management

PhD Aurora Gonzalo-Tarodo: Neotropical passerines and land use in the Peruvian Amazon

PhD Zoe Goodman: Impacts of climate change on avian species distribution in British woodlands

MRes Joe Marcus: Predator-proof avian nest sites: opportunities and challenges, costs and benefits

MRes Elliot Tripp: Data for free – the untapped potential of sightings apps for ecological monitoring

 

Completed research students

PhD Rachel Williams: Volunteer-collected data in ecology and conservation

PhD Kelly Swallow: Ancient woodland vegetation: distinctiveness and community ecology

PhD Julia Webb: Advancing the utility of palynology

MPhil Claire Kirkhope: Optimising surveying techniques for UK mammals

MPhil Jon Wilshaw: Ecological and social priorities for urban biodiversity conservation

MPhil Joe Reynolds: Agri-environment scheme effectiveness for amphibians

MRes Sam Rees: Direct and indirect techniques to estimate small mammal populations

MRes: Bryony Baker: Extreme weather and the reproductive success of a long-lived pelagic seabird.

MRes Tom Blunsden: Ectoparasite loads associated with different avian nestbox designs

MRes Richie Fourie: Comparison and optimisation of nocturnal surveying techniques in South Africa

Publications

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Anne has co-written two textbooks published by Oxford University Press: “Applied Ecology: Monitoring, Managing and Conserving” and “Biological Science: Exploring the Science of Life

More publications from Prof Anne Goodenough can be found in the Research Repository.

External responsibilities

Subject for media interview

Wildlife,

Conservation

Birds

Starling murmurations

Biological effects of climate change

Professional positions

Trustee of Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust

Chair of Ecological Advisory Group for Gloucestershire

Associate Editor of Bird Study Journal

External examining

Oxford University: PGCert Ecological Survey Techniques

University of Bedfordshire: BSc Animal Science

Shuttleworth College: FdSc Animal Management