Cynthia Froyd

Professor Cynthia Froyd is a terrestrial plant ecologist specializing in long-term ecology, biodiversity, and conservation. She holds a position as an Associate Professor in the Department of Biosciences at Swansea University's Faculty of Science and Engineering. Her research focuses on applying long-term ecological data to guide conservation and restoration, particularly in island ecosystems (e.g., Galápagos, Mauritius), temperate forests, and peatlands. She has contributed to over 50 peer-reviewed publications and leads projects such as the 'Lost Peatlands of South Wales' and 'Realising the Natural Capital of Welsh Peatlands.'

Her career includes roles as Senior Lecturer (2015–present), Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Oxford (2005–2011), and field ecologist in the US Pacific Northwest. She teaches modules like Plant Ecology and Ecosystems: Ecology, Conservation & Resource Management.

Key research interests include paleoecological techniques (fossil pollen, charcoal analysis), climate change impacts, and human-induced environmental changes. Her work emphasizes bridging historical ecological data with modern conservation strategies, as highlighted in her Science podcast interview on Galápagos conservation.