Laura Graham

Laura Graham is an Associate Professor and IIASA-NERC Research Fellow at the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham. She is a computational and spatial ecologist focused on anthropogenic impacts on ecosystems and human well-being.

Education:

• PhD in Geography, University of Nottingham
• MSc in Environmental Management (Distinction), University of Nottingham
• BSc in Mathematics, University of Southampton (First)

Laura's research lies at the intersection of ecology, statistics, and spatial analysis. She investigates how climate and land-use change affect biodiversity and ecosystem services, employing novel statistical methods and diverse data sources. Her background in mathematics and database development informs her interdisciplinary approach.

Her recent publications reflect a strong trend in fire ecology, biodiversity modeling, and environmental heterogeneity. She frequently applies computational and spatial techniques to address both applied and theoretical ecological questions, particularly in temperate and fire-prone ecosystems.

Honors and Editorial Roles:

• Fellow of the Turing Institute
• Committee Member, BES Publications Committee
• Chair, BES Events Committee
• Secretary, BES Quantitative Ecology Group
• Associate Editor, Methods in Ecology & Evolution
• Associate Editor, People & Nature

Laura actively contributes to the ecological community through editorial work, committee leadership, and interdisciplinary research. She currently leads the IIASA-NERC funded project A complex-systems approach to improve understanding of the biodiversity-landscape structure relationship. Her expertise bridges ecological theory, data science, and environmental policy.

Laboratories and Research Groups: While not explicitly named, her work is embedded within the research ecosystem of the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Birmingham, likely involving computational ecology labs and spatial analysis facilities.