Colleen Hitchcock

Colleen Hitchcock is Professor of Ecology in the Biology Department at Brandeis University and serves as Chair of the Environmental Studies Program. Her expertise spans participatory science, ecology, evolution, and conservation biology, with a focus on engaging students and the community in biodiversity documentation and ecological restoration projects on campus.

Her research investigates the role of participatory science in ecological conservation, particularly through studies of biodiversity patterns, phenology (seasonal biological events), climate change impacts, and urban ecosystems. She integrates these interests into campus initiatives like the Brandeis Microforest and Project Pollinator, which serve as living laboratories for ecological research.

Dr. Hitchcock oversees multiple community-science projects:

• City Nature Challenge: Boston Area – Public biodiversity documentation via iNaturalist (2,700+ species recorded)
• Chronolog Stations – Longitudinal photographic monitoring of wetland and meadow ecosystems
• Campus Phenology Project – Tracking seasonal changes in 30+ campus trees since 2015
• Project Pollinator – Native micro-meadow supporting insect biodiversity
• Brandeis Microforest – Native habitat restoration project

She teaches courses including BIOL 17 Conservation Biology and BISC 11a Biodiversity Connections, training students in species identification and ecological monitoring using digital tools like iNaturalist.