Howard P. Nelson

Howard P. Nelson is a University Affiliate Lecturer in the Department of Geography at the University of Cambridge and holds the title of FFI Lecturer in Conservation Leadership with Fauna & Flora International. He is a Fellow of Lucy Cavendish College and a member of the Vital Geographies research group. His career spans over three decades in wildlife conservation, policy development, and academic leadership across institutions in the Caribbean, including the University of the West Indies and the Government of Trinidad and Tobago.

Education:

• PhD in Wildlife Ecology & Forestry (2004) – University of Wisconsin-Madison
• MPhil in Zoology (1996) – University of the West Indies
• BSc in Zoology & Chemistry (1989) – University of the West Indies
• PG Cert. Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (2015) – University of Chester

Research Interests: Dr. Nelson focuses on island ecology, particularly Caribbean ecosystems, emphasizing wildlife population dynamics, socio-ecological resource use, and the science-policy interface for protected areas. His applied research addresses climate change adaptation in dry forests, endangered species conservation, and capacity-building for local stakeholders.

External Roles:

• Chairman, Darwin Plus Advisory Group (DEFRA)
• Trustee, The Linnean Society of London
• Co-chair, Endangered & Threatened Species Working Group (BirdsCaribbean)
• Technical Advisor, Caribbean Natural Resources Institute

Policy Contributions: Key achievements include national policies for Trinidad and Tobago such as the Protected Areas Systems Plan (2018), Wildlife Policy (2012), and Forest Policy (2010). His work bridges academic research with actionable conservation strategies, prioritizing stakeholder collaboration and knowledge transfer.

Labs/Teams: Vital Geographies research group within the University of Cambridge Department of Geography.