Biography
Jennifer A. Dodd PhD MCIEEM PGCHE is a Lecturer in Ecology and Conservation and co-lead of the Centre for Conservation and Restoration Science, within the School of Applied Sciences at Edinburgh Napier University.
>>> Research Interests <<<
Jennifer’s research lies within the field of freshwater conservation with a view to developing methods for evidence gathering to support policy change. She is particularly interested in the role habitat (river) restoration can have to reverse biodiversity decline and support resilient freshwater systems in the face of a rapidly changing climate. She currently holds funding (Scottish Government) to investigate the ecological response of rivers to channel re-configuration (often referred to a re-meandering).
Our freshwaters are subjected to multiple stressing inputs (e.g. diffuse and point pollution, effects of land-use change and disconnection from the river floodplain), which makes detecting change arising from increasing channel sinuosity challenging. To overcome this challenge Jennifer is working in collaboration with multiple partners through her role as a member of the IUCN (UK) River Restoration & Biodiversity steering group. Outputs from this research is being incorporated into BSI/CEN (British and European Standards bodies) Standard for River Restoration, where Jennifer led on the evidence gathering sections.
Dr Dodd also has a long-standing interest in the role non-native species play in freshwater biodiversity changes. In addition to her work investigating the effects of potentially toxic elements to change invasion likelihood (collaboration with University of the West of Scotland), she has undertaken risk screening for multiple aquatic species and contributed recently to a horizon scanning exercise for GB.
>>> Strategic Leadership <<<
Dr Dodd has experience in research leadership and is currently the co-lead for the Centre for Conservation & Restoration Science, an inter-disciplinary research centre committed to delivering innovative science and solutions to help conserve, rebuild and enhance biodiversity and ecosystems. Jennifer’s strong focus on robust evidence gathering to support policy and government strategy has led her to be invited to join the IUCN (UK) River Restoration & Biodiversity steering group and the BSI (British Standards Institute) Biological Standards committee
>>> Teaching Leadership <<<
Jennifer leads two 3rd year modules (Conservation Biology & Ecological Field Studies) which contribute to three Undergraduate degree programmes. The modules bring together her research experience and insight gained while working in industry. Combining these facets of applied conservation ensures students receive appropriate theoretical and practical experience in advance of starting their own professional careers.
>>> Career History <<<
Jennifer attained her PhD from University of Glasgow with a thesis that examined the long-term response of macroinvertebrates on two contrasting river systems in south-western Scotland (Rivers Clyde and Endrick), under the direction of Professor Colin Adams. In 2011, she undertook a post-doc based at Cambridge University investigating the impacts of Dikerogammarus villosus, a non-native species, recently established in GB (PI Professor Jamie Dick & Professor David Aldridge). Her next postdoc (University of Glasgow, PI Prof. Adams) was split based between the Loughs Agency (Northern Ireland/Ireland) and the University of Glasgow, supervising a suite of PhD and masters students undertaking research in freshwater systems on a large (£8M) EU INTERREG IVa funded programme. In 2015, Jennifer established her own research consultancy, which focussed on the collection of data linked with river restoration projects. In October 2018, Jennifer joined Edinburgh Napier University as Lecturer in Ecology and Conservation.