Dr. Aerin Jacob

Dr. Aerin Jacob is the national director of conservation science and research, and the Weston Family senior scientist, at the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC), and an adjunct professor at the University of Northern British Columbia. She has worked as a researcher, consultant, and educator on animal behaviour, environmental science, and conservation biology across North America, Central America, and East Africa for 20 years. Jacob's scientific work is very 'applied', i.e., grounded in real life problem and solutions. For instance, where do plants and animals live and how are they affected by people? What makes conservation practices effective and equitable over the long-run? This means that research findings feed into practical things making a difference, like land-use and conservation planning, habitat restoration, and environmental law, and policy.

Jacob received her PhD from McGill University where she studied tropical forest restoration in Uganda, and conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Victoria where she worked with First Nations on conservation planning on coastal British Columbia. She is a science communicator and a frequent public speaker about conservation and scientific issues, and is active in policy engagement and initiatives to diversify science.

Google Scholar (peer-reviewed scientific publications)

www.aerinjacob.ca