I am a conservation scientist whose work focuses on biodiversity conservation, with particular expertise in marine vertebrates including turtles, marine mammals, seabirds, and sharks. My research increasingly takes interdisciplinary approaches to address key conservation challenges such as fisheries bycatch, ocean plastic pollution, and the design and effectiveness of marine protected areas.
My work is highly collaborative, involving partnerships with academic, government, non-governmental, and industry organisations in the UK and internationally. In my teaching, I integrate research and practice, emphasising employability skills and provide students with opportunities to work with diverse stakeholders on real-world conservation problems. I designed, launched, and led the MSc Marine Vertebrate Ecology and Conservation and the MSc Conservation and Biodiversity.
Since 2018, I have led the development of the Exeter Marine strategy, which became one of the University’s inaugural Research Networks in 2022, connecting over 400 marine researchers across faculties and campuses. In 2023, I helped establish the University’s Graduate School of Environment and Sustainability, serving as its founding Director.
I believe in #oceanoptimism. With hard work we can rebuild marine systems.