Principal Conservation Scientist
RSPB Centre for Conservation Science,
Edinburgh, UK

Involved with the BOU as:
Ordinary Member of Council, and previously as a member of Meetings committee (2011 – 2015)

BOU member since: 1995

Most likely to be found . . .
. . . birding or biking, given half a chance.

Why are you a member of the BOU?
In all honesty, I can’t imagine not being.

What is your role on the BOU Council or committee on which you sit?
With the Meetings Committee I was involved in identifying meeting topics and delivering the Upland Conference in 2014. That conference delivered not only great content but was one of the friendliest conferences I’ve had the pleasure of attending.

What would you say to anyone who is considering joining (or leaving!) the BOU?
BOU membership is an essential. Not only do you get IBIS, but the BOU organises great conferences on key topics and through it’s grant and bursary schemes provides an important way for developing scientists and helping conservation.

If you’ve attended a BOU conference, what did you get out of it?
Although I declare a vested interest, the BOU Upland Conference was one of the best I’ve been to. It brought together people from all over Europe (and wider) who are looking at similar topics using similar methods. The benefits of learning what others are up to, and how, were immeasurable.

When did your interest in ornithology begin?
I’m told it was when I was around four years old, triggered by a Starling in my back garden.