Research

My research and teaching background focuses on the marine sciences and conservation.

I have been involved in several marine projects around the world, working on coral reef propagation trials, extensive work on the effects of overfishing in the Indian Ocean, including campaigning against dynamite and cyanide fishing, cetacean research in the Atlantic Ocean and establishing a whale shark and coral reef research base in Honduras. I am experienced in writing conservation plans, stakeholder engagement schemes and the co-ordination of global volunteer involvement in research. It is my great belief that it is not too late to make a difference in the plight of endangered species. The more we can learn about species and habitats through high-level research, both marine and terrestrial, the greater chance we have of highlighting how important and vulnerable they are. Knowledge is indeed power, and through our findings we are in a strong position to teach those unaware of the effect they may be having on their local ecosystem. With the facts on our side we can deliver effective mitigation strategies and education programmes which will empower people to be responsible and take the first steps into positive regrowth and repopulation.

Luke McMillan - Research Director
My background is in ecology, the branch of science focused on the relationships & interactions between organisms & their environment.

I graduated from Bournemouth University last year with a first class honours degree in Ecology & Wildlife Conservation. I have been involved in a large amount of fieldwork in variety of different habitats including heathlands, forests, rocky shores & marine environments, from the coast of Dorset to the peaks of the Pyrenees Mountains.

I have an understanding of the theoretical principles in ecology & their application to ecosystem management, including the importance of wildlife behaviour to the success of habitat management. I have experience in field research techniques & data analysis in the context of conservation ecology.

Now having graduated, I am proud to work for the AWF and will be heading out to Sri Lanka in April to coordinate the AWF Asian Elephant Project and to put my passion for wildlife conservation into action. These mighty and intelligent creatures fill me with wonder. To me they are symbolic of all nature, so powerful, but with such a fragile existence. Having roamed the world for millions of years, their fate now lies in our hands. With humans being their greatest threat, I strongly believe that through a concerted effort to raise awareness and education, we can create the energy needed to ensure the continued existence of this majestic creature. In the future I hope to return to Bournemouth University to complete a Masters degree in Biodiversity Conservation, with aims to travel the world and witness the incredible wildlife that nature has to offer, and to play a part in ensuring it is preserved for generation after generation.

Halina Pokoj - AWF Project Coordinator
My background is in ecology and conservation and I am particularly interested in conservation research for cetaceans in addition to entire marine ecosystems.

Whilst studying for an MSc. in Conservation and Biodiversity I gained knowledge in research techniques, GIS and statistical analysis as well as current marine conservation issues. I have spent time in Kenya learning from amazing scientists working hard to conserve species in a developing country.

In the past I have worked with molecular ecology for evolutionary research and acoustic monitoring techniques for cetaceans, which drives my belief that these methods along with tagging techniques are the future of marine conservation. Particularly in the marine environment, where political boundaries do not exist, it is essential to understand the migrations of marine mammals in order to protect all life stages and seasonal activities. I have been lucky enough to carry out both marine and terrestrial research in places including the Caribbean, Peru and Kenya, and hope that my career will take me to even more incredible countries such as these. My passion for the conservation of cetaceans has led me to a new fantastic job, working for the AWF as a cetacean researcher, where I will be coordinating research projects on Humpback Whales in Sierra Leone and Cape Verde, as well as Blue Whales and Sperm Whales in Sri Lanka. I am determined that our work will truly make a difference to the knowledge which we have on these magnificent creatures .

Lucie Buckland – Cetacean ResearcherMany of our volunteers use their time with us to do research. It may be as part of their school or university studies, or it may even be independent research in an area of interest to them. Here at the AWF we want you to make the most of the research opportunities we provide. If you feel that you need help and guidance throughout the research process we can offer you a bespoke supervision service. This will help to that your work is completed to a high standard, there will be someone to answer your research questions either face to face or through video calling, and also someone to put in place a research schedule to ensure the work is completed on time and that you have all the necessary equipment and literature available.

This service is provided for £100 on top of your volunteering fees, no matter the duration of your stay with us. Many of our volunteers find this an invaluable resource.

Funded scholarships for field-based PhDs in ethical and social entrepreneurship.

Offered by the Atlantic Whale Foundation (AWF) as part of a programme of social and ethical enterprise at Centre for Transformational Management Practice, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge

For further information contact:

Candidates will be expected to be open-minded, strong, critical, curious, and with a desire to find ways of bringing new ways of thinking and doing into the mainstream. All candidates will be interested in developing new methods and ways of validation for their work that helps evolve the current scientific paradigm.