About
Professor Colin Beale is a Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of York, leading the York Environmental Sustainability Inst (YESI) Research Theme. His work focuses on spatial ecology and conservation science, particularly in African savannahs and UK ecosystems. He combines field research with statistical methods to study species distributions, climate impacts, and fire ecology. Collaborations include organizations like the Wildlife Conservation Society and Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Teaching emphasizes fieldwork and computational skills, including annual tropical ecology expeditions to Tanzania. Current research projects address biodiversity finance, savannah degradation, and illegal wildlife activity reduction. Funded grants include projects on treescapes and rangeland guardianship. Past and present students include Hien Luong, Charlie Le Marquand, and Joris Wiethase.
Key projects involve mapping illegal activities in protected areas, analyzing fire regimes, and understanding climate-driven range shifts. His lab includes postdoctoral researchers like Dr Rob Critchlow and Dr Tabitha Kabora. Ongoing work integrates ecological and cultural histories to guide sustainable land use.
