Outreach

I'm always happy to chat about my work!

I have written a chapter in the book 'Last Lions', focusing on the use of genetics
in the context of lion conservation. You can watch the trailerfor the book on
Youtube. I’ve also co-written a chapter on genetic tools for the purpose of lion
monitoring (EWT – South Africa) aimed at managers. I published a (peer-
reviewed) paper in Cat News, aimed at policy makers, providing guidelines on
how to use genetic data for informating translocations, with a summary available
in English, French and Portuguese.

Several news paper items appeared on the distinct position of the West and Central African lion (NRC, Bionieuws) and I gave a number of interviews for the papers and radio (NTR Hoe?Zo!, Radio West, Sleutelstad FM, TalkRADIO UK). I also contributed to the IPBES podcast Nature Insight - Speed dating with the future. In addition, media regularly asks for commentary on other publications in my field.

I did a lecture on lion genetics for 7-12 year old children at the “Museumjeugduniversiteit” at the Natuurhistorisch Museum Rotterdam. Four popular articles related to my studies were published by The Conversation (here, here, here, and here).
I also try to reach a wider audience through Twitter, Bluesky and Instagram.

I'm currently also the Chair of the Leo Foundation. Through this foundation, we try to do capacity building by supporting scientific research and implement the recommendation that are the result of this research. Further, we support outreach and education programs, to enhance human-wildlife co-existence. Check out our work on our website, and if you'd like to support us in our endeavours, please reach out or donate through our website!

Recently, filmmaker Luca Cueni joined the Leo Foundation to Nepal, and made the documentary 'PAKRITI - Year of the Tiger', about the fantastic work our partners are doing there to help protect the tiger. Watch the documentary here:

Memberships

I'm a member of the following groups/organizations, check the links to learn more about their activities:
IUCN Conservation Genetics Specialist Group
IUCN Cat Specialist Group
Society of Conservation Biology – Genetics Working Group (Board member)
GEOBON Genetic Composition Working Group (Steering Committee)
Genetic Nature Observation and Action (GENOA) Cost action
African Lion Working Group (Special Matters Committee)
Leo Foundation (Chair)
Himalayan Tiger Foundation (Board Member)
FREE Nature (Foundation for Restoring European Ecosystems) (Board of Trustees)