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Modelling, Evidence & Policy - Staff List

Dr Louise Mair

NUAcT Research Fellow

Background

I am a Â鶹´«Ã½ Academic Track (NUAcT) Fellow researching global biodiversity conservation and policy. I am based in the Modelling Evidence and Policy research group, within the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences. 

I obtained my PhD from the University of York, where I used citizen science data to quantify and understand changes in the distribution and abundance of British butterflies in response to climate change. I then worked as a post-doctoral researcher at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in Uppsala where I projected the responses of old-forest indicator species of fungi to scenarios of forest management and climate change in Sweden. 

I started at Â鶹´«Ã½ as a post-doctoral researcher working on international species conservation science and policy. I then obtained a position as a Â鶹´«Ã½ Academic Track (NUAcT) research fellow and I am now pursuing independent research in biodiversity conservation and policy. 

I am passionate about creating a positive research culture and inclusive working environment, and I am an active member of the school's EDI committee and the university's Rainbow network. 


Experience

2021 - present

Â鶹´«Ã½ Academic Track (NUAcT) Research Fellow at Â鶹´«Ã½, UK.

2017 - 2021

Research Associate at Â鶹´«Ã½, UK.

2014-2016

Post-doctoral researcher at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.

2010-2014

PhD student at the University of York, UK.


Online profiles

My publication record can also be found on  and , and I am on .

Research

My research here at Â鶹´«Ã½ focuses on delivering the science required to inform and support the implementation of global biodiversity conservation policy. I collaborate closely with a diverse network of national and international colleagues from the  (IUCN) and the IUCN  (SSC), and I engage directly with policy makers through the . I was a member of the IUCN SSC , which work to provide the scientific basis for the , agreed by Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity. The task force has now become the IUCN SSC , and we work to provide scientific and technical expertise on the Framework’s species related targets. Task force members joined the IUCN delegation at a recent of the Convention on Biological Diversity to present and discuss our research with policy makers.


Examples of ongoing and past research projects

Setting targets to reduce species extinction risk

I worked with a team of international researchers, with key partners from IUCN, to develop the . STAR quantifies the potential contribution of threat abatement and habitat restoration activities to reduce global species extinction risk. STAR aims to support implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework by allowing countries and other non-state actors, such as NGOs and businesses, to set and measure progress towards science-based targets for species conservation.

In collaboration with partners at the , we are developing methods to expand the taxonomic coverage of the global STAR metric through a project on freshwater species. I have also worked with partners in Brazil, Norway and South Africa to test the application of STAR to , in order to support the translation of global policy targets to the national level.

The development and evolution of STAR is very much ongoing. The metric has been integrated into the Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool () for access by businesses and policy makers. There have also been some exciting scientific applications of the metric, such as its use in calculating , and in an investment strategy to .

Species extinctions prevented through conservation action

I worked with a team of international researchers and conservationists, led by Dr Rike Bolam in collaboration with BirdLife International, to determine . This work was essential to provide evidence that conservation action can effectively prevent extinctions, and to quantify progress towards Aichi Biodiversity Target 12. This project received national and international media coverage, including at .


PhD students

(2024-present) "Reconciling evidence with management to mitigate impacts from hunting pressure in tropical forests"

(2023-present) "Quantifying species recovery following threat abatement"

(2022-present) "Utilising a marine biodiversity metric to support conservation in Small Island Developing States"

(graduated 2024) "Threat maps for conservation planning and policy across spatial scales"


Undergraduate and Masters research project supervision

I am interested in working with students to develop research projects that align with students’ interests in a variety of biodiversity conservation topics, including for example species extinction risk and the IUCN Red List, international trade in endangered species, protected areas, and global policy mechanisms. I would be pleased to support international students wishing to apply for a to undertake our Global Conservation MSc.

Previous student projects have reached scientific publication:



Research collaborations

I am always keen to expand my network and research scope, please get in touch if you are interested in developing a collaboration! 




Publications

  • Articles

    • McGowan PJK, Hutchinson A, Brooks TM, Elliott W, Hoffmann M, Mair L, McDougall A, Raimondo DC, Butchart SMH. . BioScience 2024, 74(9), 614-623.
    • Turner JA, Starkey M, Dulvy NK, Hawkins F, Mair L, Serckx A, Brooks T, Polidoro B, Butchart SHM, Carpenter K, Epps M, Jabado RW, Macfarlane NBW, Bennun L. . npj Ocean Sustainability 2024, 3, 4.
    • Carlin B, Sikka T, Hopkins P, Braunholtz L, Mair L, Pattison Z. . Studies in Higher Education 2024, 49(9), 1652-1665.
    • Ridley FA, Rushton SP, Hickinbotham EJ, Suggitt AJ, McGowan PJK, Mair L. . Conservation Biology 2024, 38(4), e14271.
    • Mair L, Elnahass M, Xiang E, Hawkins F, Siikamaki J, Hillis L, Barrie S, McGowan P. . Conservation Letters 2024, 17(4), e13024.
    • Mair L, Amorim E, Bicalho M, Brooks TM, Calfo V, de T Capellao R, Clubbe C, Evju M, Fernandez EP, Ferreira GC, Hawkins F, Jimenez RR, Jordao LSB, Kyrkjeeide MO, Macfarlane NBW, Mattos BC, de Melo PHA, Monteiro LM, Nic Lughadha E, Pougy N, Raimondo DC, Setsaas TH, Shen X, de Siqueira MF, Strassburg BBN, McGowan PJK. . Conservation Biology 2023, 37(1), e14046.
    • Bolam FC, Ahumada J, Akcakaya HR, Brooks TM, Elliott W, Hoban S, Mair L, Mallon D, McGowan PJK, Raimondo D, Rodriguez JP, Roe D, Seddon MB, Shen X, Stuart SN, Watson JEM, Butchart SHM. . Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 2023, 21(2), 64-70.
    • Ridley FA, Hickinbotham EJ, Suggitt AJ, McGowan PJK, Mair L. . Environmental Evidence 2022, 11(1), 26.
    • Chaudhary A, Mair L, Strassburg BBN, Brooks TM, Menon V, McGowan PJK. . Environmental Research Letters 2022, 17(5), 054022.
    • Irwin A, Geschke A, Brooks TM, Siikamaki J, Mair L, Strassburg BBN. . Scientific Reports 2022, 12(1), 5861.
    • Guerrero-Pineda C, Iacona GD, Mair L, Hawkins F, Siikamaki J, Miller D, Gerber LR. . Nature Sustainability 2022, 5, 610-618.
    • Snall T, Trivino M, Mair L, Bengtsson J, Moen J. . Nature Sustainability 2021, 4, 951–957.
    • Gant JR, Mair L, McGowan PJK. . Oryx 2021, 55(4), 573-580.
    • Piipponen-Doyle S, Bolam FC, Mair L. . Biodiversity and Conservation 2021, 30, 1899-1912.
    • Mair L, Byers O, Lees CM, Nguyen D, Rodriguez JP, Smart J, McGowan PJK. . Conservation and Society 2021, 19(1), 25-33.
    • Williams BA, Watson JEM, Butchart SHM, Ward M, Brooks TM, Butt N, Bolam FC, Stuart SN, Mair L, McGowan PJK, Gregory R, Hilton-Taylor C, Mallon D, Harrison I, Simmonds JS. . Conservation Letters 2021, 14(3), e12778.
    • Mair L, Bennun LA, Brooks TM, Butchart SHM, Bolam FC, Burgess ND, Ekstrom JMM, Milner-Gulland EJ, Hoffmann M, Ma K, Macfarlane NBW, Raimondo DC, Rodrigues ASL, Shen X, Strassburg BBN, Beatty CR, Gomez-Creutzberg C, Iribarrem A, Irmadhiany M, Lacerda E, Mattos BC, Parakkasi K, Tognelli MF, Bennett EL, Bryan C, Carbone G, Chaudhary A, Eiselin M, da Fonseca GAB, Galt R, Geschke A, Glew L, Goedicke R, Green JMH, Gregory RD, Hill SLL, Hole DG, Hughes J, Hutton J, Keijzer MPW, Navarro LM, Nic Lughadha E, Plumptre AJ, Puydarrieux P, Possingham HP, Rankovic A, Regan EC, Rondinini C, Schneck JD, Siikamaki J, Sendashonga C, Seutin G, Sinclair S, Skowno AL, Soto-Navarro CA, Stuart SN, Temple HJ, Vallier A, Verones F, Viana LR, Watson J, Bezeng S, Bohm M, Burfield IJ, Clausnitzer V, Clubbe C, Cox NA, Freyhof J, Gerber LR, Hilton-Taylor C, Jenkins R, Joolia A, Joppa LN, Koh LP, Lacher TE, Langhammer PF, Long B, Mallon D, Pacifici M, Polidoro BA, Pollock CM, Rivers MC, Roach NS, Rodriguez JP, Smart J, Young BE, Hawkins F, McGowan PJK. . Nature Ecology and Evolution 2021, 5, 836-844.
    • Ridley FA, McGowan PJK, Mair L. . Environmental Evidence 2020, 9, 23.
    • Nordén J, Harrison PJ, Mair L, Siitonen J, Lundström A, Kindvall O, Snäll T. . Ecology and Evolution 2020, 10(6), 3079-3089.
    • Jarvis RM, Borrelle SB, Forsdick NJ, Pérez-Hämmerle K, Dubois NS, Griffin SR, Recalde-Salas A, Buschke F, Rose DC, Archibald CL, Gallo JA, Mair L, Kadykalo AN, Shanahan D, Prohaska BK. . Ecological Solutions and Evidence 2020, 1(2), e12028.
    • Kuunal S, Mair L, Pattison Z, McGowan PJK. . Conservation Science and Practice 2020, 2(12), e294.
    • Bolam FC, Mair L, Angelico M, Brooks TM, Burgman M, Hermes C, Hoffmann M, Martin RW, McGowan PJK, Rodrigues ASL, Rondinini C, Westrip JRS, Wheatley H, Bedolla Guzman Y, Calzada J, Child MF, Cranswick PA, Dickman CR, Fessl B, Fisher DO, Garnett ST, Groombridge JJ, Johnson CN, Kennerley RJ, King SRB, Lamoreux JF, Lees AC, Lens L, Mahood SP, Mallon DP, Meijaard E, Mendez Sanchez F, Percequillo AR, Regan TJ, Renjifo LM, Rivers MC, Roach NS, Roxburgh L, Safford RJ, Salaman PS, Squires T, Vazquez Dominguez E, Visconti P, Woinarski JCZ, Young RP, Butchart SHM. . Conservation Letters 2020, 14(1), e12762.
    • Cowan D, van der Waal Z, Pidcock S, Gomm M, Stephens N, Brash M, White PCL, Mair L, Mill A. . Mammal Review 2020, 50(2), 180-186.
    • McGowan PJK, Mair L, Symes A, Westrip JRS, Wheatley H, Brook S, Burton J, King S, McShea WJ, Moehlman PD, Smith AT, Wheeler JC, Butchart SHM. . Conservation Letters 2019, 12(1), e12588.
    • Mair L, Ridley FA, Fleming LV, McGowan PJK. . Biological Conservation 2019, 239, 108260.
    • Mair L, Mill AC, Robertson PA, Rushton SP, Shirley MDF, Rodriguez JP, McGowan PJK. . Biological Conservation 2018, 223, 82-96.
    • Mair L, Jönsson M, Räty M, Bärring L, Strandberg G, Lämås T, Snäll T. . Diversity and Distributions 2018, 24(10), 1416–1425.
    • Bradter U, Mair L, Jönsson M, Knape J, Singer A, Snäll T. . Methods in Ecology and Evolution 2018, 9(7), 1667-1678.
    • Löbel S, Mair L, Lönnell N, Schröder B, Snäll T. . Journal of Ecology 2018, 106(4), 1700-1713.
    • Belinchón R, Harrison PJ, Mair L, Várkonyi G, Snäll T. . Ecology 2017, 98(3), 741-750.
    • Mair L, Harrison PJ, Räty M, Bärring L, Strandberg G, Snäll T. . Ecological Applications 2017, 27(5), 1485–1497.
    • Mair L, Harrison PJ, Jonsson M, Lobel S, Norden J, Siitonen J, Lamas T, Lundstrom A, Snall T. . Ecology and Evolution 2017, 7(1), 368-378.
    • Mair L, Ruete A. . PLOS One 2016, 11(1), e0147796.
    • Mair L, Thomas CD, Franco AMA, Hill JK. . Ecological Entomology 2015, 40(6), 823-828.
    • Mair L, Hill JK, Fox R, Botham M, Brereton T, Thomas CD. . Nature Climate Change 2014, 4, 127-131.
    • Mair L, Thomas CD, Anderson BJ, Fox R, Botham M, Hill JK. Temporal variation in responses of species to four decades of climate warming. Global Change Biology 2012, 18, 2439-2447.

  • Review

    • Stevenson EA, Robertson P, Hickinbotham E, Mair L, Willby NJ, Mill A, Booy O, Witts K, Pattison Z. . Biological Invasions 2023, 25, 2423-2438.