معرفی
Professor Pen Holland is a faculty member in the Department of Biology at the University of York, specializing in ecological modelling, science education, and game-based learning. She promotes active and independent learning through innovative approaches such as LEGO communities, Raspberry Pi technologies, and educational card games like Catastrophic. Her research bridges ecological theory and practical applications, focusing on predicting ecological patterns, invasive species management, and sustainable resource use. She actively collaborates with colleagues globally and engages students as partners in teaching and research projects.
Her research interests include quantifying ecological processes (e.g., seed dispersal, herbivore impacts) and designing games to address complex environmental challenges. Notable projects include modelling climate-driven ecosystem dynamics and developing tools for low-cost ecological data collection. She has won a Vice Chancellor’s Teaching Award (2019) and contributed to interdisciplinary initiatives like Ora–Save the Forest!, which combines game design with ecological communication.
- Awards: Vice Chancellor’s Teaching Award (2019)
- Key Projects: Catastrophic co-production game, seed dispersal modelling, herbivore-plant interaction studies
- Collaborations: Student-staff partnerships, international academic networks
Professor Holland’s work emphasizes translating ecological science into actionable educational resources and policy recommendations, particularly in conservation and climate adaptation contexts.
