Dr Joelene Hughes

Personal statement:

I am a social scientist and ecologist that conducts applied research to try and address biodiversity conservation issues. I like to use mixed methods research to investigate people’s relationship with nature – in general or with regards to specific habitats and species. My research interests cover a range from specific intervention development to address concerns such as recreational disturbance issues, to more contextual research looking at values and nature connection, with the perspective of leveraging these to motivate pro-environmental behaviour.

Key topic areas of research or interest:

• Biodiversity conservation
• Nature connection
• Pro-environmental behaviour and behaviour change

Collaboration opportunities:

I consider transdisciplinary research as key for impact, and as a researcher within the a large NGO am in a lovely position to deliver meaningful impact. I enjoy collaborating with researchers from academia on delivering impactful research to help address problems faced by the conservation sector. I’m very happy to hear anyone looking at address biodiversity issues in the UK or abroad.

Publications:

Here are a few examples of the range of research carried out to increase effectiveness of biodiversity conservation.

As part of ongoing collaboration with a housing developer, this research has been used to inform efforts to motivate nature-friendly gardening in new builds:
Hoggett, J., Carr, V., Hughes, J., & Reeves, Z. (2025). Wildlife gardening on a blank canvas: addressing motivations, barriers and possible interventions for homeowners living in new build houses. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1080/09640568.2024.2434717

Working with a particular volunteer programme, this research was part of efforts to engage a younger volunteer cohort:
Constant, N. L. & Hughes, J. (2023). Diversifying citizen science through the inclusion of young people JCOM 22(02), A07. https://doi.org/10.22323/2.22020207

After developing ENACT we looked at activities across RSPB and how well they drive desired outcomes, enabling engagement teams to make informed choices:
Carr, V. & Hughes, J (2023). Identifying nature activities that promote adult nature connection using the Evaluating Nature Activities for Connection Tool (ENACT),
Biological Conservation, Volume 286, 110287, ISSN 0006-3207, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2023.110287

Raising concerns about balancing outcomes in nature-health collaborations, this research has been used by policy teams to highlight the importance of identifying outcomes for nature:
Hughes, J., De Ruyck, C., Emmens, T., Bradbury, R. B., & Jefferson, R. (2020). In a mental-health care setting, can nature conservation and health priorities align? Journal of Interprofessional Care, 34(1), 97–106. https://doi.org/10.1080/13561820.2019.1621276

This nature connection research has informed various strategies on developing connection and engagement with different age groups:
Hughes, J., Rogerson, M., Barton, J. and Bragg, R., 2019. Age and connection to nature: when is engagement critical?. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 17(5), pp.265-269.