Chris R J Pollard

Chris Pollard (PhD Student-ConFooBio)

c.r.pollard@stir.ac.uk / @crj1981

MSc. Conservation Science, Imperial College London (2013)
MPhil. Drug Metabolism & Analytical Chemistry, Keele University (2012)
BSc. (hons) Chemistry with Pharmacology Int., University of Leeds (2004) 

Autobiography: I started out studying Chemistry with Pharmacology (BSc) at the University of Leeds and then worked for AstraZeneca Plc specialising in drug metabolism. After eight great years in the lab, I found new passion elsewhere and left pharma to study Conservation Science (MSc) at Imperial College London. This led me to my current PhD in ConFooBio.

Research interests: My research is focused on studying the way people in conservation conflicts make decisions. I work on the islands around Scotland where conflict has arisen due to the large numbers of wild geese damaging crops. I investigate the interactions within and between the different parties involved in the conflict, using ideas from game theory to find out when, how and why individuals cooperate. The ultimate aim is to find practical ways to help people work together even when the uncertainties of nature, economics and politics abound. Also as a committee member of the BES Scottish Policy Group, I am also involved in building relationships between people in Scotland working in academia, NGOs and government.

Supervisors:
Dr Nils Bunnefeld (University of Stirling)
Dr Juliette Young (Centre for Ecology and Hydrology)
Prof. Steve Redpath (University of Aberdeen)
Dr Aidan Keane (University of Edinburgh)

Start Date: 1st October 2014

Research Project

Linking game theory and structured decision-making for the resolution of conservation conflicts.

The project aims to use game theoretical and structured decision making methods to understand the rules that govern how parties search for solutions to conservation conflicts.

This will use two UK based conservation conflicts as case studies: (1) hen harrier predation on red grouse and upland moor management; and (2) increasing geese populations imposing costs on farming.

Funding Acknowledgements

IAPETUS NERC Doctoral Training Partnership Studentship
Additional funding provided by CASE partners, Scottish Natural Heritage

Wider Research Interests

Socio-ecological modelling; sustainable management of natural resources; local, national and international environmental policy; monitoring and evaluation systems.