Dr Richard Bradbury

I lead a small team of researchers within the RSPB Centre for Conservation Science. I come from an ornithological and ecological research background, but my focus now is on growing the RSPB's currently limited amount of research work on the human aspects of conservation, both social science capacity and understanding nature's contributions to people.

I collaborate with a wide inter-disciplinary network of researchers, conservation practitioners and policy advisors, to use a range of scientific methods and approaches to tackle conservation issues. I am experienced in building and leading teams, mentoring staff and training PhD and Masters students. As a non-University employee, I can’t take on student supervision directly myself, but can discuss co-supervision of project ideas that fit with RSPB priorities.

Key publications

Finch, T., Bradbury, R.B., Bradfer-Lawrence, T., Buchanan, G.M., Copping, J.P., Massimino, D., Smith, P., Peach, W.J. and Field, R.H., 2023. Spatially targeted nature-based solutions can mitigate climate change and nature loss but require a systems approach. One Earth, 6(10), pp.1350-1374.

Bradbury, R.B., Butchart, S.H.M., Fisher, B., Hughes, F.M.R., Ingwall-King, L., MacDonald, M.A., Merriman, J.C., Peh, K.S.H., Pellier, A.S., Thomas, D.H.L. and Trevelyan, R., 2021. The economic consequences of conserving or restoring sites for nature. Nat Sustain 4: 602–608.

Balmford, A., Bradbury, R.B., Bauer, J.M., Broad, S., Burgess, G., Burgman, M., Byerly, H., Clayton, S., Espelosin, D., Ferraro, P.J. and Fisher, B., 2021. Making more effective use of human behavioural science in conservation interventions. Biological Conservation, 261, p.109256.

Gillingham, P. K., Bradbury, R. B., Roy, D. B., Anderson, B. J., Baxter, J. M., Bourn, N. A., ... & Thomas, C. D. (2015). The effectiveness of protected areas in the conservation of species with changing geographical ranges. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 115(3), 707-717.

Hiley, J.R., Bradbury, R.B., Holling, M. and Thomas, C.D., 2013. Protected areas act as establishment centres for species colonizing the UK. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 280(1760).

Watson, R., Albon, S., Aspinall, R., Austen, M., Bardgett, B., Bateman, I., Berry, P., Bird, W., Bradbury, R., Brown, C. and Bullock, J., 2011. UK National Ecosystem Assessment: understanding nature's value to society. Synthesis of key findings.

Bradbury, R.B. and Kirby, W.B., 2006. Farmland birds and resource protection in the UK: Cross-cutting solutions for multi-functional farming?. Biological Conservation, 129(4), pp.530-542.

Bradbury, R.B., Hill, R.A., Mason, D.C., Hinsley, S.A., Wilson, J.D., Balzter, H., Anderson, G.Q., Whittingham, M.J., Davenport, I.J. and Bellamy, P.E., 2005. Modelling relationships between birds and vegetation structure using airborne LiDAR data: a review with case studies from agricultural and woodland environments. Ibis, 147(3), pp.443-452.

Vickery, J.A., Bradbury, R.B., Henderson, I.G., Eaton, M.A. and Grice, P.V., 2004. The role of agri-environment schemes and farm management practices in reversing the decline of farmland birds in England. Biological Conservation, 119(1), pp.19-39.

Krebs, J.R., Wilson, J.D., Bradbury, R.B. and Siriwardena, G.M., 1999. The second silent spring?. Nature, 400(6745), pp.611-612.

Full list of publications: ‪Richard Bradbury‬ - ‪Google Scholar‬