ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Ú

Skip to main content

Dr Simon Pooley, FLS

Positions held:
  • Lambert Reader in Human-Wildlife Coexistence, School of Social Sciences
Email
  • Overview

    Overview

    Biography

    Ìý

    I am the Lambert Reader in Human-Wildlife Coexistence, a bequest lectureship with a focus on applied herpetology created by Dr Michael Lambert, a Fellow of ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Ú College.ÌýLambert’s work viewed "human and natural species as mutuallyÌýconstitutive rather than distinct or antagonistic," and was regarded as "aÌýtemplate for new kinds of collaboration between biologists, ecologists, pharmacologists, evenÌýethnographers and cultural historians." I couldn't have asked for a better description of my research aspirations.

    Since 2016, I have worked hard to realise this vision for the role, doing research and outreach work in southern Africa and India (including posters, bibliographies, pamphlets and workshops), participating in international conservation networks through my work for the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and publishing and presenting my work onÌýhuman-crocodilian interactions in international fora. I have worked with colleagues in Central and South America and the Caribbean on human-crocodilian interactions, and have successfully motivated to have snakes included in our IUCNÌýSpecialist Group on Human-Wildlife Conflict and Coexistence readings & resources.Ìý

    My research informs my teaching on environmental topics in the Department of Social Sciences at ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Ú, where I have been Programme Director of the MSc in Environment and Sustainability since 2020.ÌýThis postgraduate course provides an advanced-level grounding in sustainable responses to a broad range of environmental issues, exploring the relationship between policy, practice and the ecological environment, and the development of effective strategies for addressing the threats and opportunities posed by environmental issues. I also teach the module Global Nature Conservation.Ìý

    I am a Fellow of the Linnean Society, an Honorary Researcher at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, a Visiting Researcher at the Zoological Society of London (Library and Archives), a member of the Coexistence Consortium (India), and a senior research associate atÌýCentre for World Environmental History, University of Sussex.

    IÌýhave degrees from the universities of KwaZulu-Natal, Cape Town, ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Ú and the University of Oxford.ÌýBefore taking up the Lambert Lectureship, I was a lecturer and course director in conservation science at Imperial College London. I completed my D.Phil in environmental history (University of Oxford) in 2010, going on to Junior Research Fellowships at St Antony’s College, Oxford (2010-2012) and Imperial College London (2012-2015).Ìý

    Highlights

    • My book Discovering the Okapi:ÌýWestern Science, Indigenous Knowledge, and the Search for a Rainforest Enigma,Ìýwas published on November 11, 2025, by Johns Hopkins University Press. More on the book here:Ìý https://press.jhu.edu/books/title/53714/discovering-okapi

    • I was elected a Fellow of the Linnean Society in April 2026.Ìý

    • I chair a Working Group on Human-Wildlife Coexistence for the IUCN Human-Wildlife Conflict and Coexistence Specialist Group (SG), details here: https://www.hwctf.org/hwcxwg. WeÌýpublished a definition of human-wildlife coexistence in April 2026, available hereÌýhttps://www.hwctf.org/policies

    • I am leading the working group Living with Crocodilians for the IUCN SSC Crocodile Specialist Group, with an international team of experienced experts. We are currently doing an international survey of human-croc attack mitigation measures, hosted by ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Ú here:Ìý/research/networks/living-with-crocodilians

    • I commissioned and guest edited a special issue on Coexisting with Reptiles for the illustrated, open access, plain English journal Current Conservation, available online from January 2024 atÌýhttps://www.currentconservation.org/issues/17-4/

    Office hours

    Fridays 11:0-13:00Ìý

    Web profiles

    Administrative responsibilities

    • Program Director: MSc Environment and Sustainability

    Visiting posts

    • Honourary Researcher , in the School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa,
    • Visiting Researcher, Zoological Society of London,

    Professional memberships

    • Member, IUCN Human-Wildlife Conflict and Coexistence Specialist Group

    • Member, IUCN Crocodile Specialist Group

    • Member, Coexistence Consortium,Ìýhttps://www.coexistenceconsortium.com/

    • Member, CASCADE higher education initiative for conservation @CASCADE_UKHEI

    • Member, Society for Conservation Biology

    • Visiting Researcher, Zoological Society of London Library & Archives

    • Senior Research Associate, Centre for World Environmental History, University of Sussex


    • Member, Society for the History of Natural History

    ORCID

  • Research

    Research

    Research interests

    • human-wildlife conflict and coexistence
    • wildfires
    • bioinvasions
    • environmental history
    • Crocodilians
    • Indigenous knowledge
    • conservation policy

    Research overview

    In my research, teaching and conservation practice I focus on the conservation of biodiversity and human wellbeing and cultural diversity. I apply my research to real world challenges.

    My research is interdisciplinary, ranging across the fields of animal and historical geography, conservation science and environmental history.

    A current focus is human-wildlife encounters, conflicts and coexistence, and in particular the crocodilians worldwide, with fieldwork in southern Africa and India. This includes cultural, ecological and historical dimensions of such encounters.Ìý

    My other research interests include the challenges of interdisciplinarity, the history of wildlife conservation, environmental histories of wildfire research, policy and management, and biological invasions in Mediterranean-type regions.Ìý

    New work includes investigating the production of scientific natural history knowledge and how this draws on while excluding indigenous knowledge, with a view to improving future practices.Ìý

    Research Centres and Institutes

    Research clusters and groups

    Research projects

    Abstract

    This working group of the aims to establish a clear working definition of human-wildlife coexistence (HWCx), and to work consultatively to establish the key dimensions of HWCx, in order to facilitate more coherent research, monitoring, and management actions related to fostering coexistence​​. It is chaired by Dr Simon Pooley.Ìý

    Outcomes

    We have published an IUCN perspective document on human-wildlife coexistence, available .Ìý

    We ran a workshop at the Pathways Europe conference in Cordoba in October 2024, and the data gathered has been analysed.Ìý

    We ran two workshops with IUCN Human-Wildlife Conflict & Coexistence Specialist Groups in September 2025, and the data is being analysed.Ìý

    Living with Crocodilians

    Abstract

    Attacks by crocodilians on humans and their domesticated animals are in many regions the chief obstacle to crocodilian conservation. There is a need for expert advice on sound policies, which methods work in particular circumstances, and advice on how to implement them. For this reason the IUCN Crocodile Specialist Group approved the formation of this Working Group to tackle the associated challenges, which is chaired by Dr Simon Pooley.

    Given the differences between regions in the strategies and methods favoured, and the ecological contexts, we are undertaking a survey of currently implemented approaches and perceptions of their effectivity, worldwide. Our group of experts, from a diversity of regions, will assess the results and develop a resource of recommended interventions fitted to particular contexts. We will identify which of these require further evaluation and initiate work on this.

    Future projects include coordinating and synthesising current education and outreach efforts designed to mitigate attacks and foster coexistence with crocodilians.

    Outcomes

    Global survey underway

    Zoological Society of London (ZSL) Hidden Histories

    Abstract

    This project will critically examine the history of ZSL through an evidence-based academic approach, with a particular aim of rediscovering and celebrating the hidden voices of those who have had a role shaping ZSL and its history, but are as yet unacknowledged. This will be followed up with an exploration of historical activities undertaken by ZSL and how they may have contributed to ways in which nature is represented and protected today.

    Outcomes

    Some of the research involved went into the preparation for Simon's bookÌýDiscovering the Okapi, to be published by Johns Hopkins University Press on November 11, 2025.Ìý

    Simon has given seminars on this material at ZSL, and will be giving talks for Black History Month on 31 October, and in 2026, linked to the 200th anniversary of ZSL.Ìý

    Ìý

  • Supervision and teaching

    Supervision and teaching

    Supervision

    Supervisions within ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Ú:
    1

    I am interested in supervising postgraduate research on human-predator relations and coexistence in particular; on collecting, analysing, visualising and communicating data on human-predator interactions; ethnozoology; conceptions on Nature in the Anthropocene; the history of wildlife conservation and conservation science; the uses and abuses of history and historical data in ecology and conservation science; critical thinking on biological invasions and restoration ecology; and wildfire.

    I have supervised MSc and BSc theses at Imperial College London and at ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Ú, and examined PhD students at the universities of Oxford,Ìý Edinburgh, Kent (DICE) and Roehampton.

    Doctoral alumni since 2013-14

    • ANTONIA SCARR
      Nature of supervision:
      Principal Supervisor,
      Title of thesis:
      Is English Estuarine Environmental Management fit for purpose, and if not, what needs to be done?
      Description:

      English estuaries are unique, complex systems that are important for ecological, cultural and economic reasons. They provide valuable habitat for wildlife, resilience to climate change and supply a wide range of regulating, cultural and ecosystem services.ÌýThis study examines relevant literature, interviewed experts, and commissioned a citizens’ jury to analyse the question in the title of the thesis.ÌýEstuaries have a disproportionate importance to people compared to other habitats, which has resulted in high levels of use, urbanisation and industrialisation leading to environmental degradation.ÌýThe literature review revealed substantial research on historical environmental pressures, but with limited focus on estuarine environments compared to marine and freshwater systems.ÌýThe expert interviewees discussed siloed and ineffective management approaches, along with global economic pressure and climate changes have resulted in many estuaries becoming environmentally degraded. They thought that collaboration and social accountability was important. Estuary Partnerships provide a framework for multiple partners with a material interest in maintaining a healthy environment collaborating to provide better decision making, drive investment and deliver multiple benefits including environmental recovery. This study highlights examples of good environmental management practice. The citizens’ jury explores the concerns of communities living alongside the Thames Estuary. It found that deliberative engagement enabled the participants to comment on complex evidence and provide their own recommendations for management of the estuary. This study makes the case that estuarine habitats are always likely to be subject to intense human pressure. So, systems thinking, strategic catchment planning, collaboration, strong legislation, adaptive management, a cultural desire, and accessible evidence would support the environmental recovery of England’s estuaries. There is a need for transformative changes in English governance to manage estuaries, and their catchments, as a system with clear objectives that transcend organisations, providing a balance between human use and nature recovery.

      Awarded:
      2024

    Teaching

    I teach environmental science for environmental management and policy modules to MSc and undergraduate students at ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Ú, including the core undergraduate modules Managing Environments (which I convene), Humans and the Environment, and Introducing Natural Environments. I also lecture to postgraduates on the core module Environmental Science for Environmental Management, and convene and teach my option module Global Nature Conservation.  

    I have previously tutored and lectured on a wide variety of subjects from Conservation Science (Imperial College London); through Global and Imperial History, South African history, and African environments (at Oxford and Sussex universities).

    I became a Fellow of The Higher Education Academy in July 2016.

    Teaching modules

    • Global Nature Conservation Level 7
    • Environmental Science for Environmental Management
    • Social Sciences Doctoral Seminar
    • Humans and the Environment
    • Managing Environments
  • Publications

    Publications

    Article

    • Pooley, Simon (2026) . Environment and history 32 (4), pp. 561-589. ISSN 0967-3407. (In Press)
    • Pooley, Simon (2025) . African Journal of Wildlife Research 55 (sp1), ISSN 2410-7220.
    • Pooley, Simon (2025) . African Journal of Wildlife Research 155 (sp1), ISSN 2410-7220.
    • Pooley, Simon (2025) . Koedoe: African Protected Area Conservation and Science 67 (1), pp. a1830. ISSN 0075-6458.
    • Pooley, Simon (2025) . Conservation Biology (e70173), pp. 1-4. ISSN 0888-8892.
    • Pooley, Simon (2025) . African Journal of Wildlife Research 55 (Si1), ISSN 2410-7220.
    • Pooley, Simon (2024) . African Journal of Wildlife Research ISSN 2410-7220. (In Press)
    • Pooley, Simon (2024) . Conservation Biology ISSN 0888-8892.
    • Taylor, J. and Nunez, P. and Gaspero, P. and Pooley, Simon and Fernandez-Ahrez, V. (2023) . The Rangeland Journal ISSN 1036-9872.
    • Ashepet, M.-G. and Dahdouh-Guebas, F. and Redpath, S. and Pooley, Simon and Huge, J. (2023) . Human Dimensions of Wildlife 29 (2), pp. 194-209. ISSN 1087-1209.
    • Pooley, Simon (2023) . Current Conservation 17 (4), pp. 3-7. ISSN 0974-0953.
    • Pooley, Simon (2022) . African Journal of Range & Forage Science 39 (1), pp. 1-15. ISSN 1022-0119.
    • Pooley, Simon (2022) . Frontiers in Psychology 13, ISSN 1664-1078.
    • Pooley, Simon and Bhatia, S. and Vasava, A. (2021) . Conservation Biology 35 (3), pp. 784-793. ISSN 0888-8892.
    • Pooley, Simon and Siroski, P. and Fernandez, L. and Sideleau, B. and Ponce-Campos, P. (2021) . Conservation Science and Practice 3 (5), pp. e351. ISSN 2578-4854.
    • Pooley, Simon (2021) . Current Conservation 15 (1), pp. 23-28. ISSN 0974-0953.
    • Pooley, Simon (2021) . The Oxford Research Encyclopedia of African History
    • Pooley, Simon (2021) . Frontiers in Conservation Science 2, ISSN 2673-611X.
    • Powell, G. and Versluys, T.M.M. and Williams, J. and Tiedt, S. and Pooley, Simon (2020) . Oryx 54 (5), pp. 639-647. ISSN 0030-6053.
    • Booth, H. and Pooley, Simon and Clements, T. and Putra, M.I.H. and Lestari, P. and Lewis, S. and Milner-Gulland, E.J. (2020) . Global Ecology and Conservation 22, pp. e00953. ISSN 2351-9894.
    • Von Essen, M. and Leung, W. and Bosch, J. and Pooley, Simon and Ayres, C. and Price, S. (2020) . PLoS One ISSN 1932-6203.
    • Pooley, Simon and Botha, H. and Combrink, X. and Powell, G. (2019) . Oryx 54 (5), pp. 629-638. ISSN 0030-6053.
    • Pooley, Simon (2019) . Geography 104 (2), pp. 106-108. ISSN 0016-7487.
    • Pooley, Simon (2018) . Environmental History 23 (1), pp. 28-55. ISSN 1084-5453.
    • Pooley, Simon (2018) . Conservation Letters 11 (4), pp. e12437. ISSN 1755-263X.
    • Pooley, Simon and Barua, M. and Beinart, W. and Dickman, A. and Holmes, G. and Lorimer, J. and Loveridge, A. and Macdonald, D. and Marvin, G. and Redpath, S. and Sillero, C. and Zimmermann, A. and Milner-Gulland, E.J. (2017) . Conservation Biology 31 (3), pp. 513-523. ISSN 0888-8892.
    • Redpath, S.M. and Linnell, J.D.C. and Festa-Bianchet, M. and Boitani, L. and Bunnefeld, N. and Dickman, A. and Gutierrez, R.J. and Irvine, R.J. and Johansson, M. and Majic, A. and McMahon, B. and Pooley, Simon and Sandstrom, C. and Sjolander-Lindqvist, A. and Skogen, K. and Swenson, J.E. and Trouwborst, A. and Young, J. and Milner-Gulland, E.J. (2017) . Biological Reviews 92 (4), pp. 2157- 2163. ISSN 1464-7931.
    • Pooley, Simon (2016) . Environment & History 33 (2), pp. 421-454. ISSN 0967-3407.
    • Pooley, Simon (2016) . Conservation and Society 14 (4), pp. 391-405. ISSN 0972-4923.
    • Pooley, Simon (2016) . Environmental Humanities 7 (1), pp. 259-263. ISSN 2201-1919.
    • Pooley, Simon (2015) . Oryx 49 (4), pp. 581-583. ISSN 0030-6053.
    • Pooley, Simon and Fa, J.E. and Nasi, R. (2015) . Conservation Biology 29 (3), pp. 965-967. ISSN 0888-8892.
    • Pooley, Simon and Mendelsohn, J.A. and Milner-Gulland, E.J. (2014) . Conservation Biology 28 (1), pp. 22-32. ISSN 0888-8892.
    • Pooley, Simon (2013) . Conservation Biology 27 (6), pp. 1481-1483. ISSN 0888-8892.
    • Pooley, Simon (2012) . Environmental History 17 (1), pp. 55-83. ISSN 1084-5453.
    • Pooley, Simon (2010) . Journal of Southern African Studies 36 (3), pp. 599-618. ISSN 0305-7070.
    • Pooley, Simon (2009) . Environment & History 15 (1), pp. 3-33. ISSN 0967-3407.

    Book

    • Pooley, Simon (2025) . Animals, History, Culture. Baltimore, U.S.: Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 9781421452487.
    • Quieroz, A.I. and Pooley, Simon, eds. (2018) . Environmental History. 8, Springer. ISSN 2211-9019. ISBN 9783319749853.
    • Pooley, Simon (2014) . Palgrave Studies in World Environmental History. Basingstoke, UK: Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 9781137415431.
    • Beinart, W. and Middleton, K. and Pooley, Simon, eds. (2013) . White Horse Press. ISBN 9781874267751.

    Book review

    • Pooley, Simon (2018) .

    Book section

    • Pooley, Simon (2026) . In: Lee, R. and Heffernan, A. (eds.) History, Knowledge and Power in Southern Africa: Essays in Honour of William Beinart. Palgrave Macmillan St Antony's Series. Springer Nature. pp. 21-48. ISBN 9783032242006.
    • Blackmore, A. and McCormack, P. and Pooley, Simon (2024) . In: McCormack, P. and Caddell, R. (eds.) Research Handbook on Climate Change and Biodiversity Law. Research Handbooks in Climate Law. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar Publishers. pp. 289-314. ISBN 978180037028.
    • Pooley, Simon and Queiroz, A.I. (2018) . In: Queiroz, A.I. and Pooley, Simon (eds.) Histories of Bioinvasions in the Mediterranean. Environmental History. Springer International Publishing. pp. 1-19. ISBN 9783319749860.
    • Pooley, Simon (2018) . In: Quieroz, A.I. and Pooley, Simon (eds.) Histories of Bioinvasions in the Mediterranean. Environmental History. Springer. pp. 219-251. ISSN 2211-9019. ISBN 9783319749853.
    • Pooley, Simon (2014) . In: Frawley, J. and McCalman, I. (eds.) Rethinking Invasion Ecologies from the Environmental Humanities. Routledge Environmental Humanities. Abingdon, UK: Routledge. ISBN 9780415716567.
    • Pooley, Simon (2013) . In: Beinart, W. and Middleton, K. and Pooley, Simon (eds.) Wild Things: Nature and the Social Imagination. White Horse Press. ISBN 9781874267751.
    • Pooley, Simon (2011) . In: Rotherham, I.D. and Lambert, R.A. (eds.) Invasive and Introduced Plants and Animals: Human Perceptions, Attitudes and Approaches to Management. Earthscan. ISBN 9781849710718.
    • Pooley, Simon (2011) . In: Massard-Guilbaud, G. and Mosley, S. (eds.) Common Ground: Integrating the Social and Environmental in History. Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK: Cambridge Scholars. pp. 293-315. ISBN 9781443825498.

    Editorial

    • Pooley, Simon (2024) . Current Conservation 17 (4), pp. 3-7. Current Conservation.
    • Pooley, Simon and Linnell, J. and Munster, U. and van Dooren, T. and Zimmermann, A. (2022) . Frontiers in Conservation Science 3, Frontiers Media. ISSN 2673-611X.

    Letter

    • Pooley, Simon and Redpath, S. (2018) . Biological Conservation 223, pp. 186-187. Elsevier. ISSN 0006-3207.
    • Pooley, Simon and Fa, J.E. and Nasi, R. (2015) . Conservation Biology 29 (4), pp. 1039-1039. Wiley. ISSN 0888-8892.
    • Pooley, Simon and Fa, J. and Nasi, R. (2014) . New Scientist (2989), Elsevier. ISSN 0262-4079.

    Other

    • Pooley, Simon (2018) . Crocodile Specialist group.
    • Pooley, Simon (2017) . Times Live.
    • Pooley, Simon (2016) . IUCN Crocodile Specialist Group.
    • Pooley, Simon (2016) . BBC Earth.
    • Pooley, Simon (2015) . London, UK: Simon Pooley.
    • Pooley, Simon (2015) . Primedia Broadcasting.
    • Pooley, Simon (2015) . Cape Times.

    Video

    • Pooley, Simon (2017) .
  • Business and community

    Business and community

    Media

    I am happy to receive enquiries from the media on the following topics:

    • human-wildlife conflict and coexistence
    • crocodilians
    • wildfires
    • wildlife conservation
    • okapi
    • environmental history
    • interdisciplinarity

    Outreach

    Simon was interviewed by ABC Television (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) on 16 April 2024 for the story "Experts warn against expanding crocodile culls," (filmed) and "Charlene's daughter was taken by a crocodile, but she's not in favour of culling" (text), both published online on April 18, 2024.Ìý

    I participated in a ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Ú Thinks podcast entitled Exploring human-animal relations, ethics and research, a fascinating interdisciplinary conversation with ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Ú colleagues Anna Richards and Sophia Connell. Listen .Ìý

    I was first speaker on a panel discussion on conservation beyond boundaries, hosted by the Oppenheimer Foundation in July 2025, and viewable .Ìý

    Simon has participated in numerous online lectures, seminars and panel discussions, including: "Beyond incident response in mitigating human-crocodylian conflicts", in Paulino Ponce's series of talks by experts on human-crocodilian interactions, December 2023; "Disentangling coexistence and conflict in human-wildlife interactions", Zoological Society of London seminar, May 2023; "Lessons in compassion and coexistence with crocodiles", seminar for Coexistence Consortium, April 2023, available on YouTube; a panel discussion on Crocodiles and Coexistence in the Centre for Wildlife Studies' (CWS) Wild Chronicle Webinar series, with Romulus Whitaker and Yoshendu Joshi, 20 April 2023.Ìý

    SimonÌýparticipated with Professor Amy Dickman (WildCRU, Oxford) and Professor Adam Hart (University of Gloucestershire) in the panel discussion ‘Living with Dangerous Wildlife’ at the Cheltenham Science Festival, Summer 2022.

    Simon gave a seminar for the City of London environmental thinktank Z/Yen Group on 13 September 2022 titled "Climate change and global wildfires". It is available to watch

    2025-21. IÌýhave maintained the public profile of issues facing Ndumo Game Reserve in South Africa through writing/contributing to national newspapers and conservation journals e.g. . The list includes:Ìý

    2025, Pooley, S., ‘HowÌýdoes Ramsar work? The caseÌýof Ndumo Game Reserve’,ÌýKoedoe 67(1), a1830.Ìý

    2021, Pooley, S., 'Biodiversity hotspot and Ramsar site under threat,' Oryx 55 (6): 811-812.

    Mail & Guardian Newspaper

    Ndumo Game Reserve: 100 years of preserving wildlife,ÌýDecember 11, 2024 available here

    Daily Maverick articles include:Ìý

    World wetlands guardian calls for urgent report on SA’s ‘forgotten’ reserve,ÌýJuly 2, 2025

    Coal Mining fear in Mpumalanga, June 12, 2025

    Ndumo Game Reserve facing mounting pressure amid fight for sustainable conservation, 18 March, 2025;

    Fate of KZN’s century-old Ndumo wetland park in doubt, March 16, 2025

    Ndumo Game Reserve: The complicated balancing act of subsistence farming and nature conservation in KwaZulu-Natal, 6 December 2021.

    I co-edited a special issue for African Journal of Wildlife Research (55, 2025).

    S. Pooley and S. Marchini, 2020. What living alongside crocodiles can teach us about coexisting with wildlife. , 26 May 2020.

    In 2021 I published a popular, illustrated version of my research in Gujarat entitled 'Rethinking coexistence with wildlife in the wetlands of Gujarat' inÌý: 23-28.

    2019, August: radio interviewÌýon the BBC World Service on my crocodile attack research on Science in Action with Roland Pease.Ìý