How have plants adapted over centuries or millennia to survive and recover from human interference? David Moreno-Mateos and his team are analysing tree species in Brazil’s Amazon Rainforest to find out, and to help inform and improve future restoration practice.
News

Why ‘de-extinct’ dire wolves are a Trojan horse to hide humanity’s destruction of nature
In a thought-provoking feature for The Conversation, Dr Rich Grenyer, Associate Professor in Biodiversity and Biogeography, examines the ethical and ecological concerns surrounding de-extinction, arguing that the allure of reviving species like dire wolves risks diverting attention from the ongoing human-driven destruction of the natural world.
'Herders under pressure' podcast episode live
Polar Pod is a new podcast that explores the regions at the poles of our planet and how they matter to all of us. Created by researchers from the School of Geography and the Environment, the podcast is a product of the Oxford University Polar Forum, and draws together expert voices to answer big questions that polar research is grappling with today.

Royal Society elects eight Oxford scientists as new Fellows
Professor Myles Allen CBE FRS, Professor of Geosystem Science at the Environmental Change Institute, School of Geography and the Environment and Department of Physics, is one of eight academics from the University of Oxford who have joined the Royal Society as Fellows.

Oxford reports wettest March on record
Oxford University researchers have recorded the wettest March since rainfall records began at the Radcliffe Meteorological Station in January 1827. Attributing March's wet weather to a 'sudden stratospheric warming occurance', observers reported that 133.9mm of rain fell during the month and that 27 of 31 days received rainfall.

Winners of Teaching Excellence Awards announced
Congratulations to Dr Lisa Wedding and Prof Anna Lora-Wainwright who are among the recipients of the Social Sciences Division's 2023 Teaching Excellence Awards. The awards recognise the outstanding contributions to teaching, learning and the academic development of students shown by colleagues across the Division.

Passing Water
What's the problem with our water? Untreated sewage is pouring into our rivers and onto our beaches. Despite the wettest March in 40 years, a hosepipe ban has been imposed in Devon. Something is going badly wrong with the companies that run our privatised water system. Is it just a lack of investment? Dr Kevin Grecksch gives Phil Dobbie and Roger Hearing the details in a new podcast for The Why? Curve. Click through to listen in full.

Why learning to listen will help you avoid 'helicopter research' and make you a better science communicator
A year of failed fieldwork in Africa led Dr Sallie Burrough to ask questions about how researchers interact with the societies they work in. She shares five tips for transparent, inclusive practices in an article for Times Higher Education.

Dr Lisa Wedding awarded Cuthbert Peek Award in 2023 Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) Honours
Dr Lisa Wedding has been awarded the Cuthbert Peek Award for pioneering marine remote sensing research in the 2023 Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) honours.

6th Interdisciplinary Desert Conference
The 6th Interdisciplinary Desert Conference was held in SoGE from 16-17 March 2023. The conference brought together academics and non-academics who research, work and live across the world's desert and semi-desert regions for two days of vibrant talks, presentations, panels and networking opportunities. Conference organiser, Ariell Ahearn, reviews the interdisciplinary event which allowed social and physical scientists to exchange views, develop lasting collaborations and make a positive global impact.

University of Oxford appoints the next Director of the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment
The University of Oxford has appointed Professor Mette Morsing as the next Director of the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment, and Professor of Business Sustainability.

Oxford University announces the Battcock Professor of Environmental Economics
The Smith School and New College, University of Oxford, are delighted to announce the creation of a new professorship in environmental economics. The post will be held by Cameron Hepburn and is named in recognition of philanthropic support from Mr Humphrey Battcock.
