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Professor Harriet Allen

College position(s)

Life Fellow

Subject

Geography

Specialising in

Biogeography

Degrees, Awards and Prizes

MSc (Calgary), MA, PhD, FRGS

Research themes

My research has focussed on Mediterranean ecosystems, historical and contemporary. My research tools range from pollen analysis to the use of remote sensing for investigating land cover changes. In 2014 I started a collaboration with a Portuguese NGO to map, monitor and understand habitat changes for keystone species of conservation interest: the Iberian lynx, Iberian Imperial Eagle and Black Vulture. Our aims have been to identify places where, working with stakeholders, local interventions can restore habitats to improve the population numbers of these key species. 

Responsibilities

I found my role as a Director of Studies and Tutor immensely satisfying and humbling, even when challenging. Working with students and helping them to make the most of their time at Girton was very important to me. Finding out about their post-Girton careers and activities, shows how much they have gained from their time in college.

Other

From 2014-2017 and 2018-2022 I was Director of Undergraduate Teaching at the Department of Geography. In 2020 I received a Pilkington Award for Teaching and in 2024, I was Head of Department, Geography. From 2022-2023 and 2024-2025 I was an EDI Champion and Council member for the School of Physical Sciences.

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