Prof Catherine Duigan

Catherine has built a career on the provision of evidence and advice for nature conservation and environmental management in Wales and the UK.  

She actively maintains her knowledge of current environmental issues, including biodiversity loss and climate change. She has a particular interest in habitat classification, protected areas, palaeoenvironments, environmental monitoring and reporting, nature-based solutions, habitat restoration and nature networks.

Catherine’s international research career led to public service in the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW), and subsequently Natural Resources Wales (NRW), and the UK Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC). Her unique career track involved securing environmental evidence and providing advice, and leading technical specialists spanning terrestrial, freshwater and marine environments. 

Her scientific publications include the current GB lake classification scheme, papers on protected areas in Wales and a major book on the rivers of Wales. 

Catherine has an in-depth understanding of the science-policy interface in Wales and beyond. This has included working with and on executive and non-executive boards and committees, and setting strategic direction. She has given advice on research priorities to the Natural Environment Research Council, government and others, and has been involved in research grant application assessment. Currently she is a member of the Welsh Policy Group of the British Ecological Association. 

Catherine is passionate about the use of words, objects and images to communicate our natural and social heritage, with a special interest in stories about early women in science. This includes researching and writing the biography of Dr. Kathleen Carpenter, a pioneering freshwater ecologist in Wales and North America, which she has developed as a role model for future generations. 

Catherine is also an elected fellow of the Freshwater Biological Association, The Linnean Society and the Royal Society of Biology. She is also a former trustee and chair of the Research Advisory Committee of Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales. 

Catherine is developing a narrative non-fiction writing portfolio and contributes to Nation Cymru.