Conservationists aren’t alone: my experience of the Student Conference on Conservation Science

Research Assistant, biodiversity and infrastructure
nell.miles@hertford.ox.ac.uk https://linktr.ee/Nell_Violet

Nell Miles

Background

My research predominantly focuses on the biodiversity impact of infrastructure and development. My master’s research explored the contribution of England’s Biodiversity Net Gain policy towards the Lawton Principles of ‘bigger, better, more joined up nature recovery’, and as a Research Assistant I am exploring how market design impacts the real-world biodiversity outcomes of biodiversity markets, alongside other biodiversity and finance topics.

I also work with Nature Positive Universities, coordinating the Student Ambassador Programme and developing guidance on how universities can quantify and increase biodiversity on campuses and through their supply chains. I chair the Woodland Trust Youth Policy Group, ensuring youth input on the Trust’s policy work, and am a member of their Youth Council. In my spare time, I write for British Wildlife Magazine and enjoy hiking and printmaking!

Research Interests

In my MBiol Biology degree at the University of Oxford I have gained particular interest in biodiversity conservation and how this interacts with business, government, and local communities. My work as Assistant to the Technical Advisor for Forestry and Climate Change in Ekiti State Forestry Commission, Nigeria, as part of a collaboration with the School of Anthropology in particular has given me an appreciation of the policy side of conservation, and I hope to further my work and education the science-policy interface in the future. As Ambassador Coordinator of the Nature Positive Universities Student Ambassador scheme, I’ve become deeply interested in how we can create change worldwide through capacity building and providing resources to young people across the globe.

Current Research

tab-image

I’m currently in my third year studying Biology and am hoping to complete a Masters project within ICCS on UK policy and biodiversity. Within my role with Nature Positive Universities, I’m helping to develop resources and guidance for university students to assist their universities in becoming nature positive.

Brief CV

Employment/Experience:

  • Ambassador Coordinator, Nature Positive Universities (2022-present)
  • Assistant to the Technical Advisor for Forestry and Climate, Ekiti State Forestry Commission (Jun 2021-present).
  • Intern, DICE – Darwin Initiative project on safeguarding biodiversity and livelihoods in the Aral Sea region of Uzbekistan (Jul-Sept 2022)
  • Executive Producer for Oxford Botanic Garden’s upcoming podcast, UnbeLEAFable Botany (Jul 2021-present).
  • Coordinator, Pledge For Our Future (Sept 2021-2022).

Other Experience:

  • Hertford College Environment and Ethics Representative (Oct 2021-present).
  • Junior Consultative Committee Representative, University of Oxford Biology Department (Oct 2020-present).
  • Secondary Education Volunteer, Oxford Botanic Garden (Jul 2021-present).
  • Campaigner, Zero Hour (May 2022-present)
  • Volunteer, Saiga Conservation Alliance (Jun 2022- present)