Welcome to the Invasion Ecology Research Group at Newcastle University. We focus on the impact of invasive alien species on the environment, biodiversity and livelihoods (food and water security). However, our project interests are diverse and also include research on plant and soil community ecology.
We are always looking to work with new people and discuss potential project opportunities. If you are interested in collaborating and/or joining the group, please contact me.
Opportunities
PhD and job opportunities will posted here when available.
Available PhD Studentships
Understanding public awareness, attitudes and perceptions of invasive non-native species and their management in the UK. Supervisors: Dr Zarah Pattison, Prof Aileen Mill, Dr Katharina Dehnen-Schmutz, Dr Ana Novoa. Based at University of Stirling. LINK: https://iapetus2.ac.uk/studentships/understanding-public-awareness-attitudes-and-perceptions-of-invasive-non-native-species-and-their-management-in-the-uk/
Drone and satellite remote sensing to support catchment scale monitoring of biocontrol of invasive plant species. Supervisors: Prof Aileen Mill, Dr Zarah Pattison, Prof Clare Fitszimmons. Based at Newcastle University. LINK: https://iapetus2.ac.uk/studentships/drone-and-satellite-remote-sensing-to-support-catchment-scale-monitoring-of-biocontrol-of-invasive-plant-species/
The importance of location of origin for wildflower seed mixes. Supervisors: Dr Adrian Brennan, Dr Zarah Pattison. Based at Durham Univesity. LINK: https://iapetus2.ac.uk/studentships/the-importance-of-location-of-origin-for-wildflower-seed-mixes/
Restoration of riparian habitats on sugarcane plantations for bird diversity, bird – regulated ecosystem services and climate change mitigation and adaptation in rural tropical landscapes, Tanzania. Supervisors: Dr Marion Pfeifer, Prof Philip A Stephens, Dr Zarah Pattison, Dr Roy Sanderson. Based at Newcastle University. LINK: https://iapetus2.ac.uk/studentships/restoration-of-riparian-habitats-on-sugarcane-plantations-for-bird-diversity-bird-regulated-ecosystem-services-and-climate-change-mitigation-and-adaptation-in-rural-tropical-landscapes-tan/
Current team members
PhD Students
Juma Ayoub Tegeje
Impacts and management of mesquite and water hyacinth in Tanzania. Commenced: 2022
Supervisors: Dr Charles Kilawe (Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), Tanzania), Dr Zarah Pattison Funded by: SUA Scholarship
Email me: juma.tegeje@sua.ac.tz
Salome Ojunga
Distribution, dispersal and management of Lantana camara in the Kilombero Region, Tanzania. Commenced: 2022
Supervisors: Dr Zarah Pattison, Dr Marion Pfeifer (Newcastle University), Dr Charles Kilawe (Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania) Funded by: Commonwealth Scholarship Commission
Email me: S.Ojunga2@newcastle.ac.uk
James Hardwick
Impact of invasive riparian plants on riverbank erosion. Commenced: 2022
Supervisors: Dr Zarah Pattison, Dr Chris Hackney, Dr Clare Fitszimmons (Newcastle University), Prof. Nigel Willby (University of Stirling). Funded by: Newcastle University
Email me: J.Hardwick2@newcastle.ac.uk
Lizzie Keen
Impact and management of Impatiens glandulifera in ancient woodlands. Commenced: 2021
Supervisors: Dr Zarah Pattison, Prof Nigel Willby (University of Stirling), Richard Wilson (Woodland Trust) and Dr Aileen Mill (Newcastle University). Funded by: NERC IAPETUS DTP, Woodland Trust
Email me: e.keen3@newcastle.ac.uk
Patrick Cook
From farmland to wildland: an ecological journey. Commenced: 2021
Supervisors: Prof Nigel Willby (University of Stirling), Dr Zarah Pattison, Dr Alan Law (University of Stirling). Funded by: NERC IAPETUS DTP
Email me: patrick.cook@stir.ac.uk
Ava Waine
The risks to water security from invasive by non-native species via bulk water transfer. Commenced: 2020
Supervisors: Prof. Pete Robertson, Dr Zarah Pattison (Newcastle University), Stuart Pudney (Northumbrian Water) and Dr Martin Crapper (Northumbria University). Funded by: NERC ONEPlanet DTP
Email me: A.Waine2@newcastle.ac.uk
Emily Hickinbotham
The risk of significant phenological changes causing mismatching between species (moths, beetles & plants) as a result of climate change. Commenced: 2019
Supervisors: Prof Stephen Rushton, Dr Gavin Stewart and Dr Zarah Pattison (Newcastle University) Funded by: RB Cooke Scholarship
Email me: E.Hickinbotham@newcastle.ac.uk
Research Assistants
Meg Vine
Freshwater fieldwork assistant. Commenced: 2022
Supervisors: Ava Waine, Dr Zarah Pattison (Newcastle University) Funded by: Newcastle University, Northumbrian Water
Email me: m.s.vine1@newcastle.ac.uk
Caitlin Frampton
Ancient woodland ecology field assistant. Commenced: 2022
Supervisors: Lizzie Keen, Dr Zarah Pattison, Dr Josie South (Leeds University) and the Angling trust Funded by: Newcastle University, Woodland Trust
Email me: c.a.frampton1@newcastle.ac.uk
Previous team members
2022 Hasab Osman, Research Assistant. Project: Impact of alien plants on recreational fisheries. Supervisors: Dr Zarah Pattison, Dr Josie South (Leeds University) and the Angling trust. Funded by: NERC ONEPlanet
2022 Dr Briony Carlin, Postdoctoral Researcher. Project: Assessing the risks faced by researchers from marginalised groups when working in the field. Supervisors: Dr Zarah Pattison, Dr Tina Sikka, Prof Peter Hopkins, Dr Louise Mair. Funded by: NERC
2022 Dr Laura Braunholtz, Postdoctoral Researcher. Project: Identifying knowledge gaps within current risk assessment policies used by researchers when conducting work in the field. Supervisors: Dr Zarah Pattison, Dr Tina Sikka, Prof Peter Hopkins, Dr Louise Mair. Funded by: NERC
2021-22 Caitlin Frampton, Research Assistant. Project: Digitising River Habitat Survey data collected from the North East of England. Supervisors: Dr Zarah Pattison. Funded by: Newcastle University
2021 Courtney Glenwright, Research Assistant. Project: Identifying global hotspots of invasive alien plant species. Supervisors: Dr Zarah Pattison and Prof. Nigel Willby (University of Stirling). Funded by: Newcastle University
2019 Dr Hannah Hamilton, Postdoctoral Researcher. Project: Identifying global hotspots and drivers of aquatic and terrestrial invasive alien plant species. Supervisors: Dr Zarah Pattison, Dr Lynsey Bunnefeld and Prof. Nigel Willby (University of Stirling), Dr Wayne Dawson (Durham University) Funded by: Carnegie
MSc Research Projects
2021/22
Megan Vine: Impact of non-native species on fisheries. Supervisors: Dr Zarah Pattison, Dr Josie South (Leeds University)
Caitlin Frampton: Litter decomposition in ancient woodlands: invasive versus native plant species. Supervisors: Dr Zarah Pattison, Lizzie Keen
2020/21
Kate Bunt: Impact of Impatiens glandulifera on ancient woodland flora. Supervisors: Dr Zarah Pattison, Richard Wilson (Woodland Trust)
Sarah Jarrett: Native macrophyte community changes with invasion across lakes globally. Supervisors: Dr Zarah Pattison, Prof. Nigel Willby (University of Stirling), Dr Janne Alahuhta (University of Oulu).
Jack Morris: Invasion of Acaena novae-zelandiae ( Piri piri burr) on Holy Island, Lindesfarne. Supervisors: Dr Zarah Pattison, Dr Aileen Mill, Andrew Craiggs (Natural England)
2019/20
Shannon Goldberg: Assessing effectiveness of varied management strategies for Acaena novae-zelandiae ( Piri piri burr) on Holy Island, Lindesfarne. Supervisors: Dr Zarah Pattison, Andrew Craiggs (Natural England)
Courtney Glenwright: Which native freshwater species are threatened by invasive alien species in UK? Supervisors: Dr Zarah Pattison, Prof. Pete Robertson
*Lucy Duke: Opportunities towards achieving post 2020 biodiversity targets: examining the potential of invasive species threat reduction. Supervisors: Dr Zarah Pattison, Dr Louise Mair *Winner of Best Dissertation Prize
Kirsty Witts: Identifying key themes in the management of invasive alien species using Topic Modelling. Supervisors: Dr Zarah Pattison, Prof. Pete Robertson
Emily Stephenson: Identifying key themes in Invasion Ecology using Topic Modelling. Supervisors: Prof. Pete Robertson, Dr Zarah Pattison
BSc Research Projects
2022
Lizzy Harbridge: Impact of Impatiens glandulifera on ancient woodland soil
Aaron Blanchard: How riparian invasive plants alter riverbank morphology
Evie Skinner: Perceptions of anglers towards invasive alien plant species
Christian Lee: Cost of alien species to fisheries
2021
*Megan Vine: Economic cost of invasive alien species to fisheries *Winner of W.H. Young Prize for Best Biological Dissertation
Lottie Wadsley: Drivers of macrophyte diversity in lakes
Declan Swales: The impact of Impatiens glandulifera on ancient woodland flora
Magnus Clements: Success and failures of mangrove restoration techniques
2020
Yasmine Airton: Economic cost of invasive alien species to food security
Beth Williams: Identifying key themes in Aquatic Invasion Ecology using Topic Modelling
Ryan Johnson: Literature review of impact and management of invasive macrophytes
2018
Cameron Wynne: Impacts of Impatiens glandulifera restoration on terrestrial invertebrates.
2017
David Eastwood: Determinants of invasion success along riparian zones by Impatiens glandulifera.
Lucy Crawford: Impact of sediment deposition on riparian plant communities.
Cheye Pollard: Quantifying the success of freshwater invaders in the UK and Germany.
Rachel Clarke: Attributing bird movement to spatial variation of E.coli in lochs.
2016
Catherine Daw: Fine sediment and grazing impacts on riparian plant communities.
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