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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.
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
Royal Society of Biology
British Trust for Ornithology
Higher Education Academy
I teach all aspects of applied ecology at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, especially focusing on ecological monitoring, management and conservation. More specifically, I lead undergraduate modules on avian biology and conservation in natural ecosystems and in captivity, while at postgraduate level, I lead teaching on applied conservation and field ecology. I also lead a combined undergraduate and postgraduate residential field course to South Africa and convene the postgraduate dissertation module. My teaching is highly applied and uses lectures, seminars, workshops, fieldwork, lab work and computer analysis to link theory to its practical application.
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 Tamara White: Testing the effectiveness of citizen scientists for collecting ecological data
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
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
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”
Wildlife,
Conservation
Birds
Starling murmurations
Biological effects of climate change
Trustee of Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust
Chair of Ecological Advisory Group for Gloucestershire
Associate Editor of Bird Study Journal
Oxford University: PGCert Ecological Survey Techniques
University of Bedfordshire: BSc Animal Science
Shuttleworth College: FdSc Animal Management
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