Interests and expertise
My work advocates for a paradigm shift towards sustainable practices that leverage nature’s potential to address pressing environmental challenges in South America and beyond. It’s rationale is underpinned by the urgent need to address the numerous environmental challenges facing the Global South. Specifically, my research aligns with Sustainable Development Goals 13 (Climate Action) and 15 (Life on Land), encompassing an interdisciplinary approach integrating biology, geography, and anthropology.
Under the supervision of Professors Nathalie Seddon (Biology), Ricardo Rocha (Biology) and Laura Rival (Anthropology), I primarily work in Amazonian transition landscapes, with a specific focus on Ecuador. As a trained biologist, I am particularly interested in the ecological outcomes of climate change adaptation efforts. My expertise lies in ecological monitoring and conservation, which I integrate with collaborative work alongside local Indigenous communities to prioritise and embed Nature-based Solutions (NbS) within decision-making. Semi-structured interviews form the basis of my anthropological work, and I collaborate with local academic institutions and NGOs to explore local perceptions of reforestation/NbS and emphasise the cruciality of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) within sustainable developments. I am also interested in using technology to aid in scaling up the implementation and recognition of NbS, so I use multidimensional methods, including bioacoustics, camera traps, microclimate loggers and more, to monitor ecosystem change post-restoration.
Background
My research has been supported by over 15 funding bodies, including Leverhulme, who have funded a year-long Study Abroad Studentship to further develop my in-field research. Additionally, my work has been internationally recognised by the WINGS Women of Discovery network, and I have been acknowledged for excellence in discovery and pushing the limits of women in scientific research. I am also an Aspen UK Rising Leaders Fellow, commended for leadership experience and climate change research.
With extensive experience in international collaboration, I currently consult part-time for international organisations, including the United Nations, International Labour Organisation, and IUCN.
I graduated with a first-class BSc in Biology from the University of Nottingham in 2020. After graduating and before starting my DPhil research at Oxford in October 2021, I worked with the London Wildlife Trust and RSBP on conservation projects across London and the southeast of England.
Aside from research, I am passionate about outreach and advocating for equality in higher education, regardless of background. As part of this, I mentor young women hoping to go into research, and I run online accounts (under the name @phdwithkatie), with a combined following of over 100,000 people. I share my experience as a state-educated woman in STEM. I also frequently undertake and enjoy outreach work within the local community, including within the Darwin Institute and the Oxford Museum of Natural History.
