GEE Seminar - Professor Helen Roy, UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology

My research focuses on the effects of environmental change on insect populations and communities. I am particularly interested in the dynamics of invasive non-native species and their effects on biodiversity and ecosystems.  I am a co-chair for the IPBES Thematic Assessment on Invasive Alien Species and their control. I also chair the COST Action network ALIEN CSI (Citizen Science Investigate) which aims to increase understanding of alien species through citizen science and involves more than 30 countries. I have the pleasure of leading a number of projects for the European Commission on non-native species - particularly in enhancing communication and understanding but also prioritising species for risk assessment.  I lead a project to produce a comprehensive information portal on non-native species in Great Britain which also includes annual reports on status and trends of invasive non-native species and the development of an alert system for people to report sightings of concern (GB Non-Native Species Information Portal). Over the last few years I have had the privilege of working with the UK Overseas Territories to predict and prioritise invasive non-native species.