This summer, the SMSG team in the UK is happy to be been joined by Olivia Jones, who is based at Oxford University. The focus of Olivia’s internship is on producing some new species IUCN Red List assessments and helping the SMSG to prepare Red List drafts for our upcoming Ethiopia workshop. Hear more about Olivia and her internship here:
Olivia Jones
“I am a fourth-year Biology student at Pembroke College, University of Oxford, currently completing an integrated Master’s degree with a focus on marine conservation. Although much of my academic work has centred on marine ecosystems, I have a broad interest in biodiversity conservation and the role of scientific evidence in shaping conservation policy and management.
This summer, I am undertaking a six-week internship with the IUCN SSC Small Mammal Specialist Group. During my placement, I will complete Red List assessor training and contribute to global Red List assessments for small mammal species. My work will involve reviewing any existing data, mapping geographic ranges, assessing threats, and preparing draft assessments for the Red List, acting as the first step in the pipeline of categorising species threat level.
I am particularly interested in the intersection of science and policy, and how scientific evidence can be translated into effective conservation action. This internship provides an opportunity to broaden my experience beyond marine systems while developing practical skills in species assessment, spatial analysis, and conservation. I look forward to learning from the Small Mammal Specialist Group and gaining a greater understanding of the challenges involved in assessing and conserving biodiversity on a global scale.”
