Head of Farmland Ecology at the GWCT Appointed Honorary Professor

The Head of Farmland Ecology at the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT), John Holland, has been appointed Honorary Professor of Biology at the School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex.

With a career in agro-ecology spanning over 30 years, John has a specific interest in the ecology and role of insects inhabiting farmland. He has a broad expertise in farmland ecosystems, the pressures and constraints on farmland wildlife and development of remedial measures including maximisation of ecosystem services. 

A recognised expert in the field agricultural entomology, John has authored or co-authored more than 120 scientific publications, including 77 in peer-reviewed journals. 

Of his appointment he comments: “I feel extremely privileged to have been appointed Honorary Professor of the University of Sussex. The School of Life Sciences is recognised as one of the top-ranking universities in the UK in terms of research.”

John is currently coordinator for the QuESSA (Quantification of Ecological Services for Sustainable Agriculture) FP7 project that aims to quantify the impact of semi-natural habitats on key ecosystem services such as pest control and pollination. He is also convenor of the International Organisation of Biological Control working group “Landscape Management for Functional Biodiversity” and the Royal Entomological Society “Sustainable Agriculture Group”.

Nick Sotherton, Director of Research and Advisory at the GWCT, adds: “We are absolutely delighted at John’s appointment. This is testament to the work he has conducted during his career, both in the UK and in New Zealand. He is not only a well-respected scientist, but a key member of our research team, and his work supervising PhD and MSc students ensures that his expertise is being shared with the next generation of scientists.”