About
Professor Philip Stephens is a Professor in the Department of Biosciences at Durham University, serving as Director of IAPETUS and Academic Lead in the Faculty of Social Sciences and Health. He holds a BSc in Zoology from the University of Bristol, an MSc in Conservation Biology from the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, and a PhD in Population Ecology from the University of East Anglia (2002). His research focuses on the interplay between evolved traits and population dynamics, with expertise in animal behavior, biodiversity conservation, and citizen science.
Key roles include Senior Editor for the Journal of Applied Ecology, member of the UK Biodiversity Indicators Science Panel, and reviewer for major science funding bodies like Portugal's Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia. His work addresses challenges in wildlife management, population viability analysis, and the ecological impacts of human activities, leveraging innovative methods like camera trapping and AI-driven data analysis.
Recent research highlights include studies on leopard density estimation in farming landscapes, climate-driven bird migration patterns, and the use of citizen science for biodiversity monitoring via MAMMALNET. He advises eight PhD/MSc students on topics ranging from grey squirrel population control to camera trap methodologies.
Publications span ecological journals such as Nature Ecology & Evolution and Ecology Letters, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to conservation. His contributions bridge ecological theory and applied conservation, addressing global biodiversity challenges through collaborative, evidence-based strategies.
