Brunel University London biologist wins British Ecological Society Award
The British Ecological Society – BES – offers a number of annual awards and prizes that recognise distinguished ecologists from around the world whose work has benefited the scientific community and society in general.
Founded in 1913, the BES is the oldest ecological society in the world. It has 6,000 members worldwide, and this year there are 11 winners across five continents, representing its international membership.
As part of her work, Dr Nibedita Mukherjee, Lecturer in Global Development and Sustainability at Brunel University London, worked with the United Nations Environment Programme on their landmark interactive GEO-6 for Youth report.
The aim of the e-publication was to engage young people in understanding the state of the environment by providing informative multimedia content and interactive features.
Dr Mukherjee will be presented with her award during a ceremony held at the BES Annual Meeting in Belfast on 14 December.
The annual meeting will run from 12 – 15 and will bring together over 1000 ecologists, in person and online, to discuss the latest advances in ecological research across the whole discipline.
Dr Mukherjee has been a member of the British Ecological Society for 10 years, having joined during its centenary year.
“I cherish my relationship with the British Ecological Society, and I am very grateful and honoured to have been chosen for this award. I am also grateful to my line manager and the head of the department for their support and encouragement,” she said.
“The primary driving force of my research is to improve how decisions are made in biodiversity conservation, and one of my current projects aims to explore how we can improve business and biodiversity linkages.
“There have been several moments over the last six years when I have suffered from self-doubt about my engagements with policy, and it has been gruelling at times.
“The brutality of intersectionality at multiple levels is a constant reminder of the pressures that such work involves.”
Dr Mukherjee hopes that her recognition will encourage others to pursue ecological work, particularly those who are underrepresented in the field.
“I hope that through this award, those coming after me, especially women, those from the Global South, first-generation immigrants in academia, and those of colour, may find the encouragement to carry on the good work for nature,” she said.