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Sian de Bell

Sian is studying the effects of ecological restoration on public health as part of the Health of Populations and Ecosystems (HOPE) project. Her research is interdisciplinary and bridges the natural and social sciences with the aim of integrating evidence from the fields of environmental health and human health.

“I developed an interest in ecology, and particularly restoration ecology, whilst studying Biology at the University of Bristol. After I graduated I worked in the Community Ecology group there, as part of a project looking at salt marshes. I gathered data on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in the marshes to determine whether there was a change in ecological health due to restoration. I have also been involved in sustainability work throughout my time at university and my PhD combines my interests in sustainability and ecology. I came to the University of York in January 2014 and my project is looking at the relationship between ecological health and public health, and whether improving the natural environment will have positive effects on human populations.”