Harry Marshall

I am a multi-disciplinary conservationist currently developing my PhD at Manchester Metropolitan University, having previously obtained my Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and Master’s degree in Biodiversity and Conservation. During my career I have worked on projects across the conservation spectrum including, chimpanzee rehabilitation and release in Guinea, West Africa, monitoring spider monkey behavioural ecology, and evaluating a livestock compensation scheme in south-eastern Mexico.

My PhD project is entitled: ‘Understanding demand for songbirds within Java’s huge captive bird trade’. Initially, I’ll be investigating why people in Java love keeping birds in tiny cages as pets, looking at patterns of demand for certain species, and examining bird ownership across locations and social groups in Java. Later on, the project will also attempt to address key issues that enable the unsustainable supply of wild caught birds to flourish across Indonesia. The final goal of my PhD is to find ways, based on understanding the demand, that either reduce or remove the impact the pet trade has on wild bird populations in Indonesia.

Beyond the primary goals of my PhD project, I also want to ensure that the research I carry out utilises current technological trends and builds capacity locally. Furthermore, during my research, I will also be working with many local organisations in Indonesia to ensure that the project has tangible conservation outcomes. My PhD is funded by both Chester Zoo and Manchester Metropolitan University.

Supervisors

Dr Nigel Collar (BirdLife International)

Dr Alex Lees (School of Science and the Environment, Manchester Metropolitan University)
Dr Andrew Moss (Chester Zoo)
Professor Stuart Marsden (Conservation, Evolution and Behaviour Research Group, Manchester Metropolitan University)