John Krebs

Lord John Krebs is Principal of Jesus College, University of Oxford, and has held a succession of influential academic and public-service posts combining behavioural ecology research with science policy and administration.

Education:

• DPhil, Zoology – Pembroke College, Oxford (1970)

Research interests span quantitative behavioural ecology, the behavioural ecology of birds, population biology, ornithology and bioethics. His work integrates field experiments, theoretical modelling and neuro-ecological approaches to understand how animals make decisions about foraging, memory and communication.

Across his publications, two dominant themes emerge: (i) the evolutionary and ecological principles underlying foraging behaviour and spatial memory, especially in food-caching birds, and (ii) the application of risk-analysis frameworks to food safety and public-health policy. These strands unite fundamental behavioural ecology with pressing societal questions about risk and regulation.

Scientific awards and distinctions:

• Knighted (1999) for services to behavioural ecology
• Fellow of the Royal Society (1984)
• Foreign Member/Honorary Member of academies in the USA, Germany and Europe
• Medals: Scientific Medal (Zoological Society), Frink Medal, Croonian Medal (Royal Society), Benjamin Ward Richardson Gold Medal, Wooldridge Medal, Harben Gold Medal, and many others
• ISI Highly Cited Researcher (top 0.5 %)

Leadership & service:

• Principal, Jesus College, Oxford (since 2005)
• Chairman, UK Food Standards Agency (2000–2005)
• Chief Executive, Natural Environment Research Council (1994–1999)
• Chairman, House of Lords Science & Technology Select Committee (2010–2014)
• Chairman, UK Science & Technology Honours Committee (2008–2014)

He has also served as President of the International Society of Behavioural Ecology and the Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour, and holds honorary doctorates from fifteen universities.