Biodiversity loss and climate change are paramount global existential threats. A conservation scientist must wield a scientific Swiss army knife to successfully undertake research in these topics that informs policy. Drawing on my own contributions to conservation from a career spanning twenty years, I will provide examples of some of the tools from the natural and social sciences I have found in my scientific Swiss army knife. From islands of the tropics to the subantarctic, along the way will be entertaining stories where a real Swiss army knife has also helped save the day.

Professor James Russell is jointly appointed in the School of Biological Sciences and the Department of Statistics. He worked in the French territories of Reunion Island and French Polynesia before returning to the University as faculty in 2010. James is a strategic advisor to Predator Free New Zealand, scientific advisor to Zero Invasive Predators, National Geographic Explorer, member of the IUCN Invasive Species Specialist Group and life member of the Ornithological Society of New Zealand.

Refreshments will be served in the Old Government House Member’s Lounge (102-G10 and 102-G11) at 1730, prior to the lecture.