Dr Kieran Lawrence

Research Postgraduate (PhD)

What do you do?

I am a Teaching Fellow in Ecology, Evolution and Environment, in the Biosciences department. Originating from Sunderland, I completed both my BSc and PhD in Biosciences at Durham, before beginning my academic career at the university. Alongside my teaching role, I work as a Biodiversity Officer for the university.

How are you involved in this area of science? 

My research focuses on migratory birds, the drivers of bird migration and changes to migratory journeys in response to environmental change. I deliver teaching to undergraduate students across all levels, largely focused on ecology, biodiversity decline and conservation.

This includes field courses to ecosystems within the UK, Switzerland, and Kenya, where students gain practical scientific and conservation skills. In my role as a Biodiversity Officer, I oversee the monitoring and management of biodiversity on the wider university estate, to help deliver the DU Biodiversity strategy and ensure that the university complies with Biodiversity Net Gain.

What do you love about this topic?

The natural world has fascinated me from a young age. The diversity of colours, shapes, sizes, and forms that occur in the world is phenomenal. I wish that our role in the conservation of biodiversity did not have to exist, but unfortunately it does. It is, therefore, immensely rewarding to be involved in finding the solutions to the biodiversity crisis, delivering practical conservation across the university estate, and inspiring the next generation of conservation scientists.

How does this work deliver real-world impact?

Our research highlights the drivers of biodiversity decline and simultaneously identifies areas in which conservation efforts might be focused. This information can be utilised by policymakers and practitioners, who deliver the practical conservation of species across the globe.

By disseminating this research to undergraduate students and developing their skillsets, they leave Durham as flagbearers for biodiversity conservation, regardless of the employment sector they enter. Meanwhile, our delivery of the DU Biodiversity Strategy should directly see not only the conservation of biodiversity across our own institution, but also as an increase in it.