Rate My Professor Philip Seddon

Seddon specializes in conservation biology, with key interests in reintroduction biology, conservation translocations, ecology of mammalian pest species, seabird ecology (particularly penguins), protected areas management, nature-based tourism impacts, and de-extinction implications for conservation. A founding figure in reintroduction biology, his work has profoundly influenced global conservation practices and policy. Highly cited publications include "Developing the science of reintroduction biology" (2007, Conservation Biology), "Directions in reintroduction biology" (2008, Trends in Ecology & Evolution), "Reversing defaunation: restoring species in a changing world" (2014, Science), "Invasive mammal eradication on islands results in substantial conservation gains" (2016, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences), and "From reintroduction to assisted colonization: moving along the conservation translocation spectrum" (2010, Restoration Ecology). He has held leadership positions in International Union for Conservation of Nature specialist groups, including the synthetic biology group, co-authored an IUCN document on de-extinction pathways (2017), and advised the New Zealand Department of Conservation on recovery programmes for species such as kaki (black stilt) and takahē. In 2019, Seddon was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society Te Apārangi. Post-retirement, he continues advising on invasive species management for the Ministry for Primary Industries and participates in conservation reserves.