Jay Mackinnon

Jay Mackinnon is a Lecturer in Applied Sciences at Edinburgh Napier University, where he has been teaching since 2008. He is affiliated with the School of Applied Sciences and participates in the Animal and Plant Science Research Group and the Centre for Conservation and Restoration Science. His academic recognition includes being a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA).

Dr. Mackinnon specializes in botany with wide-ranging interests in biodiversity, ecology and conservation including environmental management; impacts of tourism and recreation; environmental education and ecotourism. His research demonstrates a strong interdisciplinary approach, connecting ecological science with human dimensions of environmental management. He has supervised numerous MSc students on projects examining diverse topics from plant biodiversity in sand dune systems to the effectiveness of conservation education programs in Zimbabwe.

His publications reflect expertise in both pure ecological research and human dimensions of conservation. The 2025 systematic literature review for the Forestry Commission demonstrates methodological rigor, while his 2018 publication on Barbary macaques shows interest in human-wildlife interactions in tourism contexts. His earlier work on educational approaches indicates commitment to pedagogical innovation across diverse geographical settings from Scotland to Morocco and Costa Rica.

• County Recorder for Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland (VC84, West Lothian)

Dr. Mackinnon actively supervises postgraduate students, currently serving as an Additional Supervisor for Ashley Napier's PhD on protected natural area volunteering in Scotland and as a supervisor for Janki Hodar's PhD on anti-adhesive properties of biosurfactants. He has previously supervised over 20 MSc projects examining ecological and conservation topics across various geographical contexts with collaborations including East Lothian Council, Cairngorm National Park Authority, and Community of Arran Seabed Trust.

His current research includes a CPD Introduction to Sedge Identification (2025) and studying the incidence of hybrid hogweed (2017-2019), demonstrating ongoing commitment to both academic research and professional development in ecological fields.