Biodiversity Conservation

This programme is designed in response to the recognition that biodiversity conservation, as a domain of science and policy, needs to become more contextual and multi-level in its conception. The biodiversity programme at ERuDeF Institute is rooted in our established strengths in conservation biogeography, strategy and governance and in research designed. The programme is also designed in response to the rise of market-based conservation including engagements with enterprise and the transformative potential of new technologies.

Academic objectives

The biodiversity conservation programme seeks to expose trainees to the study of biological variety, how they are understood and classified and how biological diversity can be conserved for the future.

The academic objectives are aimed at developing the abilities of trainees to:

• Critically engage with concepts and theory in biodiversity science and management from interdisciplinary perspectives and at an advanced level.
• Appreciate the role of ethics, values and norms in producing culturally attuned and effective conservation interventions.
• Critically assess the modes through which conservation builds and extends power and describe in detail the factors that explain the emergence and performance of different governance modes.
• Embrace the implications of new technological forces for the future of biodiversity science and management.

Pedagogy

The unique instruction methods of ERuDeF Institute offer tutorial-style of teaching and discussion environment within smaller groups based on a suite of contemporary research themes. The teaching aim is to foster discussion and debate between instructors and trainees to identify and explore theories, methods and practices in an academic space that encourage a critical dialogue.

An independent and original dissertation is an integral component of the programme. In order to equip trainees with the necessary skills to undertake high quality research, course modules in research design and research methods; teach skills and competences in a suite of common and emerging research practices and methods employed in biodiversity science, policy and management research.

Scientific objective

Link theories, hypothesis, methods, data and field work so as to identify and develop advanced research questions and design.

Entrepreneurial objectives

The programme trains future leaders, managers and policy makers in biodiversity, conservation and natural resource management. Thus the program teaches conservation as a dynamic discipline integral to all the major areas of human concern; judicial reform, political economy, religion, spatial planning, poverty alleviation, human and institutional capacity, agriculture, and population growth, in addition to the hard science of biodiversity.

Graduates also obtained leadership positions in a range of leading conservation and academic organizations. Examples includes; policy positions in government departments, management positions in global conservation NGOs, such as Conservation International and WWF, environmental and conservation consultancies, and other international bodies.