Sophie Charles-Hoban (She/Her)

I am a passionate communicator and researcher with an extensive background in the environmental humanities and social sciences. My work is driven by a desire to deepen our understanding of the relationships between people and nature and to foster more compassionate, sustainable ways of living alongside other species. Based between Sweden and the UK, I work in academia, teaching courses in environmental law, political and historical ecology, and disaster risk management. Alongside my academic work, I contribute to non-profit organisations advancing conservation and animal welfare. At Faunalytics, I translate complex research into accessible insights that support evidence-based advocacy. As a feature writer for Ubuntu Magazine, I spotlight conservation initiatives and the people driving change. As Community Advocates Coordinator at WildHub, I lead strategic communications and initiatives that connect, engage, 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 am an enthusiastic and progressive conservation professional with over 15 years of experience in zoological institutions and conservation non-profits. I currently work as part of a unique partnership between the IUCN SSC and the Indianapolis Zoo as part of the Global Center for Species Survival. Throughout my career, I have focused on the role of zoos as conservation organizations, serving as a bridge between in situ and ex situ conservation. I am a firm supporter of the IUCN’s One Plan Approach to conservation. My range of experience provides a broad foundation to draw from and offers unique insights for problem-solving and partnership engagement. I have experience working for and with domestic and international conservation non-profits. My focus includes supporting the development of conservation skills, utilizing innovative tools, technologies, and approaches to tackle conservation challenges, and emphasizing the contributions of local communities to wildlife conservation. I strongly believe in the power of storytelling as a conservation tool. I am eager to connect with other conservationists and offer them support, skills, and training to aid in their ongoing work.