I graduated with a B.A. (Hons) 2.1 in Natural Sciences from the University of Cambridge in 2012 having specialised in Zoology. Following this, I worked as a Research Assistant in Cambridge’s Zoology Department. I assisted with a wide range of projects, including studies on anti-predator defences in moths and provisioning behaviour and taste perception in birds. I also worked as an Ecological Consultant for a local organisation and volunteered for several conservation projects and wildlife organisations both in Britain and abroad.
In 2013/14 I studied for a M.Sc. in Species Identification and Survey Skills at the University of Reading, for which I received a Distinction. As part of my course I undertook a research project with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), studying the impact of western marsh harriers Circus aeruginosus on breeding northern lapwings Vanellus vanellus in the Norfolk Broads.
After completing my M.Sc, I set up a project in Galápagos studying the impacts of an introduced bird species, and a few months later began my Ph.D. in road ecology. After completing my Ph.D. in 2020, I was offered a 3-year Research Associate position at the University of Cambridge, working with policy-makers in Galápagos to support their ambition of achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. As part of this work I led a Darwin Initiative project in collaboration with Fundación un Cambio por la Vida and the Galapagos Conservation Trust. I have also held several independent consultancy positions. Since October 2023 I have been working for the Environmental Funders Network, supporting both funders and fundraisers to connect fairly and efficiently.
Reports
Cooke, S. C. and Crespo, L. N. 2023. Antecedentes y herramientas para informar la toma de decisiones para alcanzar la Agenda de Desarrollo Sostenible 2030 en Galápagos / Background and tools for informing decision-making to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda in Galápagos. Co-Galapagos policy brief. This work has also been published as a Panorama Solution.
Cooke, S. C. and Crespo, L. N. 2023. Empoderamiento, educación y conexión ambiental de niños y jóvenes en Galápagos / Empowerment and environmental connection of young people and children in Galápagos. Co-Galapagos policy brief.
Kastdalen, A., Cooke, S. C. and Crespo, L. N. 2023. Recomendaciones de políticas públicas desde voces de la comunidad para contribuir a la prevención y eliminación de la violencia de género en Galápagos. Co-Galapagos policy brief.
Cooke, S. C. 2018. A new trap design for smooth-billed anis Crotophaga ani in Galápagos – a manual for design and use. Unpublished report for the Charles Darwin Foundation.
Academic publications
Ferguson, C., Guerra, R., Cooke, S. C., Proaño, D. Trial of fog and rainwater harvesting to alleviate water scarcity in the agricultural highlands of the Galapagos Islands. Journal of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Development. Manuscript in press.
Cooke, S. C., Balmford, A., Donald, P. F., Newson, S. E. and Johnston, A. 2020. Roads as a contributor to landscape-scale variation in bird communities. Nature Communications 11: 3125. This paper was later featured on the journal’s Editors’ Highlights page. I also wrote an article accompanying this paper in The Conversation and published a 5-minute video explaining the main findings.
Cooke, S. C., Balmford, A., Johnston, A., Massimino, D., Newson, S. E. and Donald, P. F. 2019. Road exposure and the detectability of birds in field surveys. Ibis. 162(3): 885-901. (I wrote a blog for the British Ornithologists’ Union on the findings of this paper here.)
Cooke, S. C., Haskell, L. E., van Rees, C. B. and Fessl, B. 2019. A review of the introduced smooth-billed ani Crotophaga ani in Galápagos. Biological Conservation, 229: 38-49. (I also published a blog post with Galapagos Conservation Trust about the main findings of this paper, which can be found here.)
Dr Sophia C. Cooke 