I am a passionate communicator and researcher with an extensive background in the environmental humanities and social sciences, dedicated to exploring and fostering connections between people and nature. Based between Sweden and the UK, I work in academia as a researcher and lecturer, teaching courses in environmental law, historical ecology, and disaster risk management. I actively contribute to non-profit organisations promoting conservation and animal welfare. I work with Faunalytics, translating complex research into accessible insights for evidence-based advocacy; write feature articles for Ubuntu Magazine spotlighting conservation initiatives; and serve as Community Advocates Coordinator at WildHub, driving strategic communications and leading initiatives that connect and empower conservation practitioners worldwide. When I’m not working, you’ll find me hiking forest trails with my dog or enjoying a good cup of coffee.

I have some experience with captive gibbons in a rehabilitation centre in Peninsular Malaysia. I am interested in the 4Rs of primate conservation: Research, Rescue, Rehabilitate, and Release. I would also like to incorporate the idea of ‘Reforest’ using primates into the 4Rs – making it 4R + 1R. I have prepared a research proposal for my Master’s study on “hormonal associations of allomaternal care” and I believe these findings can inform primate welfare and management of the rescued orphans (from the pet trade, etc.) by 1) increasing orphans’ survival rates, 2) increasing efficiency in rehab, and 3) increasing success rates post-release. I am currently looking for a(n) mentorship/advisor to support my proposal and supervise the research.

PhD researcher in Lancaster University | 🐾 Wildlife legislation, trade, crime, and policy 🌿 | Bridging law and environmental science | Passionate about biodiversity conservation 🐼

I am an Indian Revenue Service (Customs & Indirect Taxes) officer with vast experience of law enforcement especially in tackling transnational smuggling including willdife trafficking. Also, as an expert I have been conducting sessions on various aspects of wildlife crimes and its convergence with other serious crimes, legal and enforcement framework to counter it, wildlife cyber crime, OSINT for combating wildlife crime, combating money laundering associated with wildlife crime, CITES, role of Customs in tackling the menace of wildlife crime, Digital Forensics etc. for forest, police, customs and other enforcement agencies' officials.

Ph.D. in Biosciences and Territory - territorial curriculum (ICAR/20 - Urban planning technique) at the University of Molise, with a thesis about the relationship between protection of environmental qualities and territorial socio-economic development. Former post-graduate fellow on the topics “Interactive environmental planning of the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park” and “Innovative ways of developing the planning process of the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park”. Many years of experience in the planning and regulation of protected natural areas and in the Strategic Environmental Assessment procedure (also in integration with the Incidence Assessment and Management Plans of the Natura 2000 Network’s areas), acquired as part of the activities of the LISP laboratory (University of Molise). Collaboration, in the same laboratory, in the drafting of territorial cooperation projects (Interreg ADRION and IPA CBC Italy-Albania-Montenegro) and international mobility projects (Erasmus+). Continuous collaboration in the teaching activities of the courses of Territorial Tourism Planning (degree course in Tourism Sciences), Urban Planning Technique (degree course in Civil Engineering) and Territorial Planning (Master’s degree course in Civil Engineering) and in the seminars and project work activities of the II level professional master in Planning and promotion of the cultural landscape at the University of Molise. Many year of collaboration in the production and post-production of professional photo and video services in the commercial, industrial and events markets at Blitz foto | video (San Salvo) and FotoGrafica srl (Lanciano). Collaboration experience in architectural and landscape design (at Fagnoni & Associati Architetti, Florence) and in R&D in the construction and commercial field (at Gruppo D’Angelo & Antenucci, San Salvo).

I started working with captive rescued monkeys in 1999 and went on to earn an MSc in Primate Conservation (Oxford Brookes University) and another in International Animal Welfare Ethics and Law (University of Edinburgh). I've worked for a number of animal welfare organizations, most recently the Animals Asia Foundation and the Asia for Animals Coalition. I've been trustee and director for Neotropical Primate Conservation since its establishment as a UK charity in 2007. I'm particularly interested in the way human and non-human primates relate to one another, and the intersection between conservation and animal welfare. I feel that it's important that these are treated as complimentary, rather than contradictory, concepts. At present I am exploring primate welfare in the context of human-macaque conflict mitigation strategies. Please feel free to contact me here to talk about this if it's of interest to you! I am originally from the US but have lived in the UK for many years.

Originally working as a set designer and model builder in the theatre and film industry, I undertook professional retraining in ecology, wildlife first aid & rehab as well as in wildlife conservation. In addition to that, I volunteered at two wildlife rescue centres on Vancouver Island and at a Portuguese wolf sanctuary. Educational highlights, so far, have been the workshops in Strategy Development and Project Management for WC by WildTeam UK and my time at the rescue centres. I had the most rewarding moments while caring for wild animal patients. Species I've been handling so far: river otter, great horned owl, fawn, a variety of songbirds, hummingbird, a variety of water fowl, great blue heron, crow, raven.

Maria Chiara Parolin (She/Her)