Jim Swanson is a lecturer in animal science and conservation biology. He qualified from the Royal Veterinary College in 1990 and worked for several years in mixed, large animal practice. Subsequently he completed a Masters in Environmental (Protected Area) management at Birkbeck College, University of London. Currently he is in the early stages of further post-graduate research with the intention of gaining a DPhil.: this is focused around the behaviour and ecological impacts of large mammals (especially Wild Boar), part of his wider research interests of spatial ecology; population regulation and dynamics; and ecological processes and functions. In previous employment he developed an extensive network of contacts within the nature conservation sector, both at home and abroad; ran training courses and undertook various consultancy projects. He was a member of both Programme and Community Stakeholder Groups within the Foresters Forest Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) Landscape Partnership Programme: these roles are wide ranging but of especial interest is the opportunity to promote and share academic research designed to meet Programme objectives. Allied to this Jim has been involved in the development of a Biodiversity Vision for the project (involving consultation with many project partners), running a facilitative workshop with the Project Officer and delivering a presentation to the Forestry Commission Stakeholder Forum: ‘’The role of Herbivores in the Forest of Dean?’’ He now sits on the lcommittee of the legaacy organisation 'Our Forest' which seeks to continue the work of the Lottery project and to develope a truly sustainable and resilient Forest of Dean.His teaching broadly covers research methods, sustainability, conservation biology and scientific developments in animal science and livestock production. His scholarly interests are very broad, but are focused around sustainability, data analysis and application of scientific evidence in mitigating real world challenges. In the real world he has a passion for encouraging and supporting the next generation of scientists, in whatever form that science comes and at whatever level.