CABI Blog

PhilDr Philip Roberts

Editor, Content Development (Environmental Sciences)

I have always been interested in nature conservation, ecology and environmental management. Ever since school I volunteered at my local nature reserve. I then went on to study for a B.Sc. Environmental Science and Environmental Geography, at the University of Bradford. This was the first course that had work placement within industry and the public sector. It therefore allowed me to work for the National Trust for Scotland at Culzean Castle and Country Park as a Seasonal Ranger.

In 2001/02 I took an M.Sc in Environmental Biology at the University of Wales, Swansea, spending most of my project time studying Odonata behaviour and wetlands diversity. After a year as a Countryside Ranger, I returned to academia to undertake a Ph.D at the University of Birmingham entitled “Developing a rigorous review methodology for measuring effectiveness in applied ecology and environmental management: an evidence-based approach”.

It was during my Ph.D that I got passionate about the need for evidence (data) to be used within nature conservation and applied ecology, and was especially interested in the provision and use of “grey literature” and “mapping resources” by both researchers and policy makers. This is why I jumped at the chance to join CABI (early 2007) due to the diverse range of literature that is included on the literature database. As part of the Environmental Sciences Content Development Team, my role at CABI is to screen/abstract soils, water, remote sensing and applied ecological subjects areas. I am also one of the editors of “Soils and Fertilizers” print abstract journal.

Philip