Achieving coexistence between humans and wildlife, particularly dangerous large carnivores, is a major conservation challenge in the modern world. The DPhil student will be part of a diverse, international and highly successful research unit, which examines the relationships between human and wildlife, and how cutting-edge ecological and social science can inform conservation approaches. The details of any DPhil project would be defined in discussion with the student, but could involve the modelling of human-wildlife conflict, examining the diversity and distribution of carnivore communities across gradients of human pressure, assessing how ecological and socio-political factors affect conservation planning, and the impact of conservation strategies. A wide variety of potential methodologies could be employed for a DPhil study, including camera-trapping, socio-economic and attitudinal surveys, modelling of conflict, and remote sensing.
Experience & Qualifications
2005-2008 University College, London, U.K.: PhD, Biological Anthropology
2004-2005 University of Oxford, U.K.: M.Sc. Biodiversity, Conservation & Management (Distinction)
1994-1997 University of Liverpool, U.K.: B.Sc. (Hons) Zoology, Class 2(1)
Eleven years as Kaplan Senior Research Fellow at Oxford University. Over 20 years' field experience researching wildlife and postgraduate experience researching ecology and conservation of large African carnivores, particularly felids in southern and eastern Africa.