Rewilding &
Restoration Lab

After a Biology BA at the University of Oxford and an MPhil in Fungal Ecology at Cardiff University, I'm now working as a PhD researcher investigating Soil Health Bioindicators for Rewilding success in collaboration with the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust using the island's many field sites and nature reserves. I have a broad range of research interests, including mycology, soil health, ecology and taxonomy. Outside of academia, I am also a keen science communicator and regularly run talks and workshops at festivals to share my scientific findings and passion for the natural world with a wider audience. 

My research interest is in restoration ecology, with a specific focus on how we can create and restore diverse and sustainable temperate woodland ecosystems. My recent work focussed on the role of invasive species in influencing woodland dynamics, while I am currently focused on functional woodland ecology and its relationship with long term resilience in the UK.

My PhD investigates the social and ecological dimensions of large herbivore management in the New Forest national park. Protected areas play a critical role in conserving biodiversity, cultural heritage, and ecosystem services, yet balancing competing environmental, social, and economic objectives is a continuing challenge. Large herbivores are a key feature of many protected landscapes, and their management often involves diverse stakeholders with differing priorities and objectives. Combining stakeholder research, evidence synthesis, and field experiments, I examine how management of large herbivores is perceived, how evidence is identified and used, and how alternative interventions can reduce herbivory impacts on woodland restoration and tree planting. My research aims to support adaptive, effective, socially accepted management of large herbivores in protected landscapes. 

There are around 200 chalk streams in the world, and 85% of them are found in England. Their gentle, flowing, crystal-clear waters host an array of endangered and unique flora and fauna; they also provide much of our drinking water, contribute towards a strong fishing economy, and sequester great amounts of carbon. However, 100% of chalk streams fail to reach good chemical status, and 85% fail to reach good ecological status. Therefore, my research interests include monitoring a flagship chalk stream restoration project on the Lower Anton, a tributary of the River Test, Hampshire. Through contemporary field and laboratory techniques, I test for water quality and how that impacts plant, insect, and fish communities. Sharing knowledge of these rare and beautiful ecosystems is something I find important, so I teach, write to inform policy, and offer my expertise in other restoration projects.