Professional summary
Research Interests
Bridget is UKCEH's Science Area Head for Soils and Land Use (SLU) which involves leadership and management of more than 80 research staff and 40 postgraduate students across three UKCEH sites – Bangor, Lancaster and Wallingford. Research in the Soils and Land Use team covers a wide range of disciplines and expertise including plant ecophysiology, soils, ecology, biodiversity, molecular ecology; catchment science, biogeochemistry and ecosystem science working across many habitats from agricultural land to upland, coastal and urban systems. Our research teams tackle urgent challenges such as the need for cleaner air, more sustainable land management practices, restoring soil health, climate mitigation as well as developing new opportunities for policy and business such as green finance and net zero.
Bridget personally has research expertise concerning: the impact of land management on natural capital and ecosystem services; drivers of change in soil structure, function and soil health; impacts of air pollution and climate change; and new knowledge and modelling systems to support policy development. Her primary research has included exploration of the nitrogen cycle, carbon cycle, vegetation composition, water quality and greenhouse gas emissions and their integration at the ecosystem level.
Brief CV
Current Role:
Head of Soils and Land Use Science Area for CEH. Resposibility for 60 staff across 3 CEH sites working in a mix of research areas involving all apsects of soil health and land use including various aspects of ecosystem services, natural capital and the land-sea interface.
Head of UKCEH Bangor station.
Career History:
2017 - Appointed as UKCEH Science Area Head for Soils and Land Use.
2009 - 2017 Return to duties as Head of Site CEH Bangor; Head of ‘Emmett’ Section (Band 3[S]); and appointed Leader of CEH Soils Science Area
2008 - 2008 Acting CEH Director Biogeochemistry (Band 2 [S]) (6 months)
2004 - 2008 Head of Site Bangor, Deputy Director of Biogeochemistry, CEH, and Head of ‘Emmett’ Section (Band 3[S])
2001 - 2004 Director of CEH-Bangor, Band 3[S]
1998 - 2001 Principal Scientific Officer Band 4 [S], Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH - a organisation formed from 4 NERC Institutes: ITE, IFE, IH and IVEM)
1994 - 1998 Senior Scientific Officer Band 5 [S], ITE Bangor
1988 - 1994 Higher Scientific Officer Band 6 [S], Institute of Terrestrial Ecology (ITE), Bangor
Qualifications
Honorary Professorship, Bangor University, 2009
PhD (Soil Ecology) University of Exeter 1990.
Bachelor of Science (First Class Honours, Plant Science) University of Aberdeen 1985.
Honorary Professorship, Bangor University, 2009
PhD (Soil Ecology)
Bachelor of Science (First Class Honours, Plant Science)
Panels, committees and memberships
- Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales (FLSW)
- Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology (FRSB)
- Fellow of the British Soil Science Society
- Member of the British Ecological Society
- Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales (FLSW)
- Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology (FRSB)
- Fellow of the British Soil Science Society
- Member of the British Ecological Society
Awards
Marsh Award for Climate Change Research, British Ecological Society, 2016
AGI Award for Geospatial Excellence (team award) 2014
Marsh Award for Climate Change Research, British Ecological Society, 2016
AGI Award for Geospatial Excellence (team award) 2014