Interdisciplinary Centre for Conservation Science

A photo of two people smiling at the camera and a third, behind them, looking in the other direction. They are outdoors in a zoo garden setting. Text overlaid on the image says 'we are accepting expressions of interest for 2027 entrants to the Leventis African Biodiversity Fellowship. Fill in the form at https://tinyurl.com/34h8wsnd

We are accepting expressions of interest from African nationals who would like to be considered for a Leventis #African #Biodiversity Fellowship in 2027!

For full details of the Fellowship programme + the expression of interest form, go to tinyurl.com/34h8wsnd

Next Fri @guyshrubsole.bsky.social joins us to discuss nature in crisis in England. If big landowners claim to be stewards, how do we prove it’s not greenwash? He’ll explore tougher accountability & initiatives to democratise decision-making over land use. Followed by book-signing & drinks reception

Oxford Net Zero Showcase: Net zero and nature YouTube video by Oxford Net Zero

Why does net zero need nature? 🌎
In this short TED-style talk Dr Aline Soterroni unpacks the relationship between net zero and nature, drawing on key research findings

The talk was delivered for the @oxfordnetzero.bsky.social showcase.

Watch here ➡️ www.youtube.com/watch?v=qs3x...

Improving land cover classification in drylands with MSAVI: Evidence from the South Aral Seabed The South Aral Seabed is an extreme dryland ecosystem undergoing rapid transformation yet remains misrepresented or absent in global land cover datase…

New paper out: MSAVI proves highly effective for #LULC classification in extreme drylands, where other indices can fail. It reveals 53% of the South #Aral Seabed transformed in just 10 years, driven by desiccation and afforestation. The paper presents the latest land cover map of the South Aral Sea.

The Fragmented Landscape of Shrimp Life Cycle Assessments: Uncovering Methodological Dependence and Analytical Blind Spots Reported environmental impacts of shrimp aquaculture from life cycle assessments (LCAs) vary by over fiftyfold. These discrepancies stem from methodological inconsistencies, which often outweigh actu....

'The Fragmented Landscape of Shrimp Life Cycle Assessments: Uncovering Methodological Dependence and Analytical Blind Spots'

New work from ICCS DPhil student Alena Calvo, with @ejmilnergulland.bsky.social, Henry Travers, Joseph Poore and Patrik Henriksson.

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

📢 We're hiring! Short-term research assistant on forest-food nexus 🌳
Interested in policy-focussed research and skilled in meta-analysis and evidence synthesis?

➡️Find out more & apply: my.corehr.com/pls/uoxrecru...
(Deadline 12 noon, 3 March 2026)

🌿 Prof. @ejmilnergulland.bsky.social is a leading voice in biodiversity conservation, showing how social, ecological and behavioural factors interact and impact nature. Her work shows how science can deliver real-world solutions—it’s fantastic to have her support behind the #CANBill.

Countering organised wildlife trafficking: insights from law enforcement personnel on challenges and opportunities - Trends in Organized Crime Wildlife trafficking represents a significant and complex form of organised crime. This study aimed to understand the challenges and opportunities related to countering organised wildlife trafficking,...

New open access paper by Dr Michelle Anagnostou: Countering organised wildlife trafficking: insights from law enforcement personnel on challenges and opportunities.

link.springer.com/article/10.1...

Online Booking System & Reservation Software | Bookwhen Bookwhen makes it easy to take Bookings for Classes, Courses, Workshops, Activities or Events. Create a free booking page and get started in minutes!

🌳Does the answer to tomorrow’s question lie in the past? In today's lecture Keith Kirby draws on long-term research at Wytham Woods to show why understanding ecological change requires decades of data. Register to join online or inperson: oxfordbiodiversitynetwork.bookwhen.com @ecioxford.bsky.social

WEBINAR REMINDER!

Much conservation involves trying to elicit human action. Hear from Conservation Optimism's Reshu Bashyal & Jon Taylor about the lessons we’ve learned through our work.

Feb 11, 2026 1:00 PM (13:00) GMT

Register for free at buff.ly/2WPesfw

#conservationoptimism

New limits on global trade of sharks won’t be enough to save them from overfishing – new research Trade bans on sharks won’t reduce the threat of overfishing.

"If the goal is a more sustainable future for both people and nature, then success must be measured in both the abundance and diversity of species and the wellbeing of people, not in the number of new policies." @hollieboothie.bsky.social

theconversation.com/new-limits-o...

A High Conservation Value area within an oil palm plantation.

📢 New research! Pathways to strengthen biodiversity protection in oil palm landscapes 🌴

Published today in Ecological Solutions and Evidence @britishecologicalsociety.org & co-authored by NbSI Deputy Director Dr Jen Lucey

Read more ➡️ www.naturebasedsolutionsinitiative.org/news/biodive...

New limits on global trade of sharks won’t be enough to save them from overfishing – new research Trade bans on sharks won’t reduce the threat of overfishing.

"In late 2025, governments took sweeping action for sharks and rays.
[...]
But here’s the uncomfortable truth: trade regulation alone won’t save sharks."

New from @hollieboothie.bsky.social @iccs.bsky.social in @uk.theconversation.com 👇
theconversation.com/new-limits-o...

How do we successfully encourage dietary change? Future of Food seminars: Professor Louise Dye

There is still time to sign up to for Thursday's talk from Professor Louise Dye on dietary change. Join in person at the @oxmartinschool.bsky.social or online.

Bookings: www.futureoffood.ox.ac.uk/event/how-do...

Call for activities for our inaugural Oxford Nature Festival

We’re still welcoming activity ideas for the Oxford Nature Festival (27th June). Submissions don’t need to be fully developed. We’ll begin reviewing and shaping ideas with participants in February, so early stage ideas are very much encouraged.

naturerecovery.ox.ac.uk/news/call-fo...

West African nationals (from all countries in West Africa) working on wildlife trade: you have until 23.59 GMT TOMORROW to apply for the first in-person Masterclass on Mitigating Illegal Wildlife Trade!

Apply here: app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/oxford/mas...

How to make sure the nature credits you buy are real – new research Four essentials are crucial for establishing scientifically credible nature markets.

In theory, nature markets allow governments to attract more private investment and diversify funds that help restore nature. The reality is much more complicated.

New from Sophus zu Ermgassen @iccs.bsky.social in @uk.theconversation.com 👇
theconversation.com/how-to-make-...

The UK Government has just released a report that, if taken seriously, should transform how we think about climate, nature and security

🚨 Its main conclusion is stark: global ecosystem degradation and collapse is a national emergency 🚨

➡️ www.naturebasedsolutionsinitiative.org/news/nationa...

Biodiversity collapse threatens UK security, intelligence chiefs warn Ecosystem destruction will increase food shortages, disorder and mass migration, with effects already being felt

All those who wrongly believe that nature collapse might be 'sad', but won't really affect them in any way, badly need to wake up.

Nature isn't just 'nice to have'.

Planet Earth is only liveable – for *us* too – due to the regulating effects of natural ecosystems.
share.google/NoVLRatfUoH5...

Five rules for scientifically credible nature markets Nature Ecology & Evolution - This Perspective synthesizes insights from the past use of nature markets to identify design factors that are necessary if such markets are to achieve their...

Super honoured to have contributed to this paper, led by the brilliant Sophus zu Ermgassen! We use our experience evaluating nature markets from around the world and derive 5 'golden' rules for the design and implementation of markets that deliver scientifically-credible outcomes. 🌱

rdcu.be/eYFx8

Check out the Friday Lectures this term

Are you a West African national working on wildlife trade? This course could be for you!

Apply here by 23.59 GMT on 30th January: app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/oxford/mas...

#IllegalWildlifeTrade #Masterclass #Ghana

Apply now for the first in-person Masterclass on Mitigating Illegal Wildlife Trade! The application deadline is 30th January 2026 at 23.59pm UK time.

@danchallender.bsky.social @orchiddelirium.bsky.social

#IllegalWildlifeTrade #Ghana #WestAfrica

app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/oxford/mas...

Conservation’s unfinished business Conservation often presents itself as a technical enterprise: how much land to protect, which species to prioritize, what policies deliver results. A recent paper in Nature argues that this framing mi...

Great to have @mongabay.com coverage of our recent paper, led by Moreangels Mbizah and with many amazing co-authors, on the structural inequities in conservation. Important things to keep talking about! news.mongabay.com/2026/01/cons...

“We cannot withdraw from the fact that over 1 million species of plants and animals face extinction.” 🧪

IPBES remains committed to its mandate to provide the most credible science and evidence about biodiversity to all decision makers and actors. 🌍

Call for activities for our inaugural Oxford Nature Festival

Call for activities for our inaugural Oxford Nature Festival on June 27th. Join us and celebrate nature!
@ecioxford.bsky.social @oxfordgeography.bsky.social @biology.ox.ac.uk @morethanadodo.bsky.social

Join us inperson for the Oxford Networks for the Environment (ONE) annual lecture on 3 February in the Life and Mind building, with Professor Gideon Henderson. More info and registration here: bookwhen.com/onenetwork#f...
@ecioxford.bsky.social @oxfordgeography.bsky.social @biology.ox.ac.uk

Bibek's reflections on ICN 2025 - ICCS Written by Bibek Raj Shrestha, a participant in this year’s Interdisciplinary Conservation Network.   Arrivals and excitement With the onset of October, I was excited to be heading to South Africa to ...

"The collaboration continues. Our theme group meetings now stretch across time zones, busy schedules, and disciplinary differences. But that is also the beauty of interdisciplinary work: it stretches you, and it reminds you that meaningful research is built slowly, with patience and care."

🌳Join us and be a part of making our first Oxford Nature Festival a success! 🐝
More info and to register our interest: bit.ly/4rFC7Pf
@ecioxford.bsky.social @morethanadodo.bsky.social
@oxfordecosystems.bsky.social @iccs.bsky.social

Our annual lecture is next Tuesday 16 December!

There are still some spaces left in person, so if you're in Oxford come and enjoy some festive drinks with us as a bonus. If you're further afield, the lecture will be online too 👇
www.biology.ox.ac.uk/event/biolog...