Biography
I obtained a BSc in Marine Biology at Swansea University where I also went on to obtain an MRes in Aquatic Ecology and Conservation. My MRes research focused on the role of seagrasses as indicators of change in the British Isles and revealed that seagrass were in a poor state across the UK and Ireland. The scientific publication that followed was featured in the News at a glance section of Science.
During my masters, I co-founded the marine conservation charity Project Seagrass after realising that seagrasses were frequently ignored in the world of marine conservation. The now global in scope organisation, aims to conserve seagrass ecosystems through education, influence, research, and action. As director, I focus on working to enhance understanding of the importance of seagrass using creative design to communicate scientific research to the wider public, as well as communicating this directly through workshops and events.
My previous research roles focused on examining factors that affect seagrass growth and using of Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV) systems to assess fish in the Indian Ocean. Since 2015, my work has primarily focused on how seagrass meadows provide food security and poverty alleviation, mainly across the tropics.
In 2017, I was involved as a technical expert in development of The Dugong and Seagrass Research Toolkit and as a scientific advisor in the development of BBC’s landmark series Blue Planet II.
Current Roles
- PhD Student Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Science, Stockholm University: 2018 – Present
- Founding Director, Project Seagrass, Cardiff: 2013 – Present
Past Experience
- Research Associate, Sustainable Places Research Institute, Cardiff University: 2015 – 2018
- Marine Technician in Benthic Ecosystems, SEACAMS, Swansea University: 2014 – 2015
- Research Assistant, Seagrass Ecosystem Research Group, Swansea University: 2014
- Lecturer in Tropical Marine Ecology, University of South Wales: 2013
- Creative Designer, Twice as Sharp Creative Services, Cardiff: 2012 – 2015
- Workshop Technician and Diver, Bristol Channel Diving Services, Cardiff: 2011 – 2014
Education
- BSc (2012), Marine Biology, Swansea University, UK
- MRes (2014), Aquatic Ecology and Conservation, Swansea University, UK
Benjamin L. Jones 