Professor Robin Pakeman elected Fellow of The Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management

Professor Robin Pakeman

"As a scientist who does both basic and applied research, having the link to CIEEM helps me with seeing what issues professional ecologists are dealing with and helps me focus my applied research. Maintaining the link between research and practice is increasingly important as we deal with the dual biodiversity and climate crises”

Professor Robin Pakeman, a plant ecologist at the James Hutton Institute, has received the honour of being elected a Fellow of The Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM).

Formed in 1991 as the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management, CIEEM is the leading professional membership body representing and supporting ecologists and environmental managers in the UK, Ireland and abroad. CIEEM’s leadership was recognised in 2013 when the organisation was awarded its Royal Charter status.

CIEEM has grown into an increasingly influential professional body – setting standards, sharing knowledge and providing sound advice to governments on all aspects of ecological and natural environmental management practice.

On the announcement, Professor Pakeman, a researcher in the Institute's Ecological Sciences department, said: “I am very proud and honoured to be elected a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management. CIEEM has professionalised ecology and has raised standards and improved training across the sector.

As a scientist who does both basic and applied research, having the link to CIEEM helps me with seeing what issues professional ecologists are dealing with and helps me focus my applied research. Maintaining the link between research and practice is increasingly important as we deal with the dual biodiversity and climate crises.”

In taking the decision to elect Professor Pakeman as a Fellow, the CIEEM Governing Board particularly noted the fact that his extensive research has been and continues to be multi-faceted, spanning coastal, upland/moorland habitats, impacts on nutrification, trophic ecology and herbivore impacts. The board also stated that importantly all of this research had practical application.

CIEEM aims to create a healthy natural environment for the benefit of current and future generations. The organisation was recognised for contributions to the public good in June 2020 when it became a registered charity in England and Wales.

Notes to editors

Professor Robin Pakeman is a plant ecologist at the James Hutton Institute focussing on the management and functioning of biodiversity in a range of Scottish ecosystems. He currently leads a deliverable, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Function, as part of the Scottish Government funded research programme on Natural Assets.

He is a Visiting Professor in the School of Biological Science at the University of Liverpool, a Chartered Ecologist and a member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management. He is a Coordinating Editor of the Nordic Journal of Botany and a Subject Editor for Oikos. He is an author of over 190 refereed publications as well as numerous reports to government departments and statutory agencies.

Robin is the institute’s representative on the North East Scotland Biodiversity Partnership and chairs its Management Group.