Dr Caroline Howe appointed Fellow of the British Ecological Society

Dr Caroline Howe, Vice President of the British Ecological Society (BES) and Associate Professor in Environmental Social Science at Imperial College London, has been appointed a Fellow of the Society (FBES) in the second round of Fellowships.

This prestigious recognition honours ecologists who have achieved international distinction in research, teaching and the application of ecological science.

The FBES, modelled on the Fellowship of the Royal Society (FRS), recognises outstanding contributions to research, leadership, policy, and practical ecological applications. Dr Howe is among 22 ecologists awarded Fellowship in this second cohort, selected through a rigorous process by a committee of senior ecologists.

Dr Howe leads the Transdisciplinary Centre for Nature and People (TCNP) within Imperial’s Centre for Environmental Policy, a multi-disciplinary team addressing the complex relationships between people and nature to inform sustainable development, biodiversity conservation, and human well-being. Her research spans local to global scales and includes projects on nature-based solutions, sustainable food systems, urban green spaces, and the integration of indigenous and local knowledge into environmental policy.

She has contributed to international assessments such as the IPBES Nexus Assessment (2022–24) and the IPBES Global Assessment on Ecosystem Services (2017–18), and collaborates with the United Nations to translate Imperial College research into policy action on biodiversity and sustainable development.

“I am honoured to be selected as a Fellow of the British Ecological Society. Taken from the ancient Greek to mean the “study of our house”, ecology is a holistic discipline that includes people as part of natural world. As a woman in ecology, I hope my fellowship encourages more women to apply and be recognised, because inclusive and diverse voices are vital for advancing ecology and creating a sustainable future for people, nature and the planet.” - Dr Caroline Howe

As a champion for gender, diversity and inclusion, Dr Howe also plays a leading role in initiatives across Imperial and the ecological community, including supervising and mentoring the next generation of ecologists. This Fellowship recognises her outstanding contributions to advancing both ecological science and the broader impact of ecology in society.