Lindsey Gillson

Lindsey Gillson is the Director of the Leverhulme Centre for Anthropocene Biodiversity and a Professor of Anthropocene Biodiversity in the Department of Biology at the University of York. She holds editorial roles as a Board of Reviewing Editor for Science and Chief Editor of the Plant Conservation Section for Frontiers in Conservation Science.

Dr. Gillson earned a Bachelor's in Pure and Applied Biology from the University of Oxford, an MSc in Environmental Technology from Imperial College London, and a PhD in palaeoecology from Oxford University. Her career includes roles at the University of Cape Town and Oxford's Plant Conservation Unit.

Her research focuses on understanding interacting drivers of land cover change and ecosystem services, employing transdisciplinary methods to integrate long-term ecological data with socio-ecological systems. Key themes include ecosystem management, restoration, and sustainable conservation in the Anthropocene.

Her work emphasizes practical applications of palaeoecology, such as landscape management strategies and balancing biodiversity conservation with carbon storage and livelihood needs. Notable contributions include her 2015 book on palaeoecological applications and high-impact publications on carbon sequestration, Madagascar ecology, and adaptive conservation frameworks.

Dr. Gillson advises the Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage and actively engages in international conservation initiatives. Her research bridges ecological science with policy and community needs, advocating for resilient and equitable environmental solutions.