My academic studies began with an undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Bristol. After graduating in 2018, I left the UK to live in western Canada for a number of years. During this time, I worked in several roles in the British Columbian rainforests, first as a surveyor, then tree planter, and finally as a grizzly bear guide and naturalist.

Returning to the U.K., my experience in the Canadian forests led me to undertake an MSc in Environmental Forestry from Bangor University (graduation 2022). After rediscovering my appreciation for forest research as a postgraduate student, I was accepted to the Envision doctoral training program, where my research focuses around improving our understanding of forest response to a changing climate, with my thesis titled ‘Restoring for a resilient future, restoration trajectories in the face of multiple stressors’.

• PhD: Restoring for a resilient future, woodland restoration trajectories in the face of multiple stressors'
  2026
• MSc: Environmental Forestry
  2022
• BSc: Biological Sciences
  University of Bristol, 2018

2022

• PublishedMicroclimate drives shelter-seeking behaviour in lambing ewes
  Atkin-Willoughby, J., Hollick, S., Pritchard, C., Williams, P., Davies, P., Jones, D. & Smith, A., 12 Dec 2022, In: Forests. 13, 12, p. 2133
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2024

• ISPF Funded Project: MO3NTANE – The threat of ozone pollution and climate change to tropical montane forests.

  MO3NTANE aims to support economic and social impact in Ecuador by addressing the impact of ozone and heat and drought events on Ecuadorian tree species. By examining the sensitivity of these species to ozone levels and the interaction with heat and drought events, the research can provide valuable insights into the effects of climate change and tropospheric ozone pollution on the local ecosystem. This knowledge can inform conservation efforts, sustainable land use practices, and forest management strategies, contributing to the preservation of biodiversity and ecosystem services. Additionally, by identifying the potential economic and social implications of ozone pollution and climate change on Ecuador's forests, the research can help guide policy development and adaptation strategies to mitigate these impacts. Ultimately, the findings of this research have the potential to support sustainable development opportunities in Ecuador by promoting environmental resilience and resource management. Value = £10,000

  1 Feb 2024

  Activity: Other (Contributor)

2023

• NERC cross-disciplinary research for Discovery Science Funded Project: Looking through the superlens at the impact of ozone on tree seed germination, establishment and mycorrhization.

  Globally, afforestation is proposed as a nature-based solution to meet Net Zero targets. However, recent evidence suggests that ground-level ozone (O3), formed during photolysis of precursors such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), can decrease net primary productivity (NPP) of plants by 50% with serious implications for ecosystem function and sustainability. Afforestation and ecosystem restoration using natural regeneration and direct seedling are reliant on the continued viability of seed and successful establishment of forests is highly dependent on the mycorrhizal fungal symbiont that facilitates the acquisition of nutrients, improves resilience and connects plants via common mycorrhizal networks. This study will investigate the effect of ground-level O3 on tree seed germination, mycorrhization and seedling viability using cutting-edge visualisation and compound analysis techniques.

  Value=£20,000

  1 Jan 2023 – 30 Apr 2023

  Activity: Other (Contributor)

Corecipient of the NERC Discovery Science Grant (£20,000) for the project 'Looking through a superlens at the impact of ozone on tree seed germination, establishment and mycorrhization'.