Lucy Bearman-Brown, PhD

I am a senior lecturer in Animal Science, with specialism in mammalian ecology and wildlife conservation. My passion for wildlife conservation led me to undertake research in Nicaragua and South Africa, with the results being presented at conferences in Europe, the United States and Australia. My current focus is on the impact of humans on the much-loved European hedgehog. Through this, I have appeared on BBC 1’s Countryfile and BBC Radio 2’s The Chris Evans Breakfast Show, and in many publications including BBC Wildlife magazine and The Sunday Telegraph.

I completed a BSc (Hons) in Animal Science at Nottingham Trent University where I focused my research on the water shrew. This led to me spending several months in the cloud forests of Nicaragua surveying the biodiversity of this little-studied Central American country. I then completed an MRes in Biodiversity and Conservation at the University of Leeds in 2008. After teaching at Nottingham Trent University I moved to Gloucester to join the team at Hartpury in 2010. Since then I have taught a variety of subjects, with particular favourites being Conservation Biology and the Field Course modules, which is delivered with a private wildlife reserve in South Africa.

I am currently chair of the Canine Performance Community of Practice and the Human-Wildlife Interaction Community of Practice. I am also a member of the University's Animal and Agriculture Research Group. 

I am programme manager for Hartpury University's BSc (Hons) Zoology, which was launched in 2018. I work with all levels of the programme to support the student experience, develop the profile of the course and engage with industry to enhance delivery. 

Alongside this, I teach at all levels of undergraduate provision. The modules I lead include Conservation Biology, Field Course, Wildlife Management & Conservation Genetics and Wildlife & Zoo Management. To support teaching I work with a private wildlife reserve in the North West province of South Africa and with Paignton Zoo, amongst others. 

Since completing my doctorate I have supervised a PhD, and I have been supervising masters and undergraduate level projects for many years. I particularly encourage my students to work with outside organisations to add value to their project. Historically, these have included zoos, wildlife hospitals, national and local animal welfare charities, wildlife trusts, local councils and conservation organisations. 

My main research interests centre around mammal ecology, with a particular interest in how humans and animals exist together. This was a key focus of my PhD thesis, which considered the impact of survival of hedgehogs in an anthropogenic world. This led me to look at how hedgehogs survive in the human-dominated landscape, how wildlife rehabilitation affects their survival, the impact of anthropogenic activity which leads animals to require rehabilitation, and how we can most effectively survey for small nocturnal species. 

I have experience of a wide range of survey methods, including mammal trapping, camera trapping, VHF and GIS tracking, and the use of technology such as thermal imagery, plus experience of working with conservation dog teams to detect wildlife. I have an interest in exploring the ethical and welfare-related aspects of survey methodologies on wildlife. 

To further explore the relationship between humans and wildlife I enjoy exploring topics such as mental health and wellbeing of wildlife rehabilitators, the benefits humans gain from interacting with wildlife, and the value of animals and nature in the education of children.