Professional summary
Chris obtained a BSc in Zoology from the University of Glasgow in 2014, followed by an MSc in Quantitative Methods in Biodiversity, Epidemiology and Conservation from the same institution. During this time he developed an interest in understanding how our changing environments impact the behaviour and ecology of our wildlife.
He pursued his doctorate at the University of Leeds from 2017-2022, where he aimed to address knowledge gaps in Northern gannet ecology relating to the impacts of offshore wind farms. This was achieved through working with empirical data and modelling to inspect mechanistic processes at the individual-level, such as the influence of foraging decisions on movement patterns, by using a range of different tracking data (GPS and geolocators).
Chris then spent a year working at the British Trust for Ornithology. Here he widened his scope by leading work on the avoidance responses of Black-legged kittiwakes to offshore wind farms in the North Sea, and conducted an expert elicitation on conservation and management interventions for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) during unprecedented outbreaks in wild and domestic bird populations in the UK.
In March 2023, Chris joined the Ecological and Socio-ecological Interactions group at UKCEH, working under Dr Kate Searle. His main role is to develop SeabORD; a simulation model used to predict the impacts of offshore renewable developments on several seabird species. This valuable tool can assist in responsible development by balancing desires for increased renewable output with protecting the UK's important seabird populations.