I hold a BSc (Hons) degree in Environmental Science and Ecology from ATU Sligo, where I was honoured to receive the ESAI Undergraduate of the Year Award. Following on from this, I began my career as an ecologist, delivering a broad range of ecological surveys through consultancy and freelance work, with a particular focus on upland habitats in the west and northwest of Ireland. Working in these beautiful landscapes deepened my already existing interest in their ecological complexity and long-term management, ultimately leading me to pursue postgraduate research focused on upland ecosystems.
My research project explores upland ecosystem services and integrated land management strategies through a place-based lens that recognises both the intrinsic value of these landscapes and the socio-economic contexts in which they exist. Using stakeholder-centric approaches, I seek to generate practical, policy-relevant insights that contribute to sustainable decision-making and management of Ireland’s upland landscapes.