Joe Langley, MSc Conservation

Meet Joe, a recent graduate student from the MSc Conservation course at the UCL Department of Geography.

Joe tells us about his interest in studying the course, which was sparked by a conservation and research placement in a South African game reserve during his undergraduate degree.

Why were you interested in studying an MSc in Conservation generally?

After undertaking a conservation and research placement in a game reserve in South Africa during my undergraduate degree, I knew that a career in conservation was what I hoped to pursue. Studying for an MSc in Conservation felt like the natural next step for me to take, particularly because I was interested in developing my analytical skills and theoretical and practical understanding of conservation issues.

What was it that encouraged you to choose UCL to study it?

UCL’s reputation as a leading academic institution definitely caught my attention, especially because its Department of Geography is one of the best anywhere in the world. The quality of teaching and breadth of research in the Department really excited me, not least because I wanted to learn about conservation and ecology in a research-led environment.

What were the most interesting or engaging things you learned on the course?

One thing that makes this course so special is that it provides opportunities to engage with both the natural and social sides of conservation, and I really valued being able to learn about terrestrial, aquatic and marine conservation while also receiving world-class training in statistical and spatial analytical skills.

Can you tell us about any particularly memorable experiences from your time as a Masters student with us?

Our field trips to Norfolk and Snowdonia were definitely highlights of my time at UCL. The fieldwork was really enjoyable and it was fantastic to be able to get to know my coursemates so well, so early! In addition to their inspiring research and excellent teaching, Professor Jan Axmacher and Professor Carl Sayer were great fun and both were integral to my experience as a master’s student. My dissertation was also particularly memorable as I conducted research in the central Congo Basin rainforest with a fellow MSc Conservation student – that was a truly unique experience!

What do you hope to do in the future?

I’m currently working as a Research Assistant at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, investigating the global representativeness of protected areas and biodiversity priority areas to understand whether these networks are potentially biased towards certain taxa. Having had the chance to refine my research interests in human-wildlife conflict, climate change and biodiversity conservation in the MSc Conservation course, I hope to undertake doctoral study in the future.

Would you recommend studying Conservation in the Department and why?

Studying Conservation in the Department was one of the best decisions I have made and I can’t recommend the course enough to any aspiring conservationists and ecologists. It is hard to imagine a better-run MSc Conservation course anywhere in the world and the collaborative, supportive and forward-thinking nature of the Department, its staff and its students is truly unique, providing an engaging academic and social environment in which anyone can thrive.

Interested in following in Joe's footsteps? Visit our Study pages to find out more