Professor Jeremy Wilson will be taking on the new role of Director of Science, leading the RSPB’s Centre for Conservation Science.
Following a PhD and postdoctoral research on bird behaviour and ecology at the University of Edinburgh, Jeremy spent ten years leading studies of the ecology and conservation of farmland birds at the British Trust for Ornithology and University of Oxford. He joined the RSPB’s Conservation Science team in 1996, and became Head of Conservation Science, Scotland, in 2001.
For almost twenty years, Jeremy has led his team of scientists in supporting RSPB's conservation work in Scotland, and recently Northern Ireland, and in upland and marine ecosystems across the UK. He has been responsible for strategic development of RSPB’s science programme in Scotland to inform conservation management, advice, policy development and advocacy, and for developing collaborations across the Higher Education, statutory and commercial sectors.
Jeremy is an Honorary Chair in Biological & Environmental Sciences at the University of Stirling and was elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Scotland’s National Academy, in 2017. He was awarded the Marsh Award for Ornithology in 2012.
Jeremy will be taking over from Dr David Gibbons, who has been Head of Conservation Science since 1998, and will be leaving us in August.
Jeremy said “I am delighted and honoured to have been entrusted with leadership of the RSPB’s Conservation Science team from September. David has led us with consummate skill and judgement over many years and will leave very big shoes to fill. So it is a privilege to have the opportunity to take forward that legacy. I will give my all to lead and support RSPB’s brilliant team of scientists to continue delivering the best and most effective science to inform nature conservation both in the UK and internationally.”