Bill Adams

Bill Adams is an Emeritus Moran Professor of Conservation and Development and Emeritus Fellow of Downing College at the University of Cambridge. He holds a B.A. in Geography, an M.Sc. in Conservation from the University of London, and a PhD in Geography from the University of Cambridge. His research focuses on environmental development, conservation, political ecology, and environmental history, with recent projects including the CESINE (Conservation and Ecosystem Services in the New Biodiversity Economy) and studies on land use change affecting African-Palaearctic migrant birds.

His work examines the role of digital tracking technologies in conservation, implications of gene editing for nature, and the political ecology of large-scale conservation efforts. Notable publications include Conservation (2024), Strange Natures (2021), and Green Development (2019). Adams has contributed extensively to debates on the World Commission on Dams, conservation ethics, and biodiversity policy.

Adams’ research spans interdisciplinary collaborations, emphasizing socio-ecological systems and the intersection of technology with conservation. His work bridges academic rigor with practical policy implications, addressing global challenges such as climate change and sustainable development.