As a postgraduate student at the University of Kent studying Conservation and International Wildlife Trade, I am interested in becoming as immersed as possible in the conservation community. Linked In: www.linkedin.com/in/francesca-spruiell-8640021a3

I am a PhD researcher at the School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, Nottingham Trent University. My thesis explores the status and behavioural ecology of leopard and spotted hyaena in Kasungu National Park, Malawi, and examines the ecology of large carnivores in a miombo woodland that has been subject to high levels of anthropogenic disturbance. My particular research interests are large carnivore ecology and conservation, camera trapping and spatial capture-recapture modelling.

Working in conservation was always my dream job! It took me a while to get there but fast forward some years and I was leading conservation programmes and teams around the world. During my time in that role I realised that I was both at risk of burnout and had become a little disconnected from the day-to-day conservation impact that I was passionate about. However, I loved developing, supporting and coaching the teams I managed and decided to re-train as a coach so that I could spend more time focusing on supporting others to excel in their role and remain passionate and effective within the conservation sector. I joined WildHub to stay up-to-date with the conservation world, share my experiences and support conservation professionals however I can.

Based in the UK. Passion for wildlife stems from living abroad and global travel to many national parks and protected areas in my youth and early adulthood. Degree qualifications in agricultural economics/rural resources/environmental policy. Worked in environmental consultancy projects and waste management (reduction, reuse, recycling) collaboration, campaigns, education and service. Volunteered part time 2010-2019 for wildlife charities (education/interpretation) and a national park (species surveys and water quality monitoring). Refreshed knowledge of ecology through online introductory course 2014. Completed certificate in ecological consultancy 2020 under lockdown and gained qualifying membership of CIEEM. Now wanting to mould and formalise project management experience in the wildlife conservation arena (while still in lockdown!) Feel the combination of skills and experience means I have a useful and valuable contribution to make towards improving the UK's biodiversity and state of nature, which has taken a big hit in the last decade. Would like to do this in a paid capacity, but definitely in a volunteer role if that's all I can find to start with! Have already started making a contribution.

A year ago I decided to quit my job as a Senior Consultant to go freelance and I haven't looked back! I have an extensive background within conservation and am looking to flexibly apply my skills towards positive societal change. My strengths include: social science expertise, systems thinking & change, engaging diverse perspectives, strategic thinking & project design, interdisciplinarity, action research, and collaboration.  Please get in touch (lindsey@emergent.eco) to discuss how I could support you with the development of a new project or if you need additional capacity on existing work.