My Experience as a Biodiversity Fellow at Oxford University

| By Adeola Juliana Labiran

Two years ago, as I was transitioning to a full-time conservation role, I was introduced to the AG Leventis Biodiversity Fellowship. Dr. Benneth Obitte, our co-Director, shared the advertisement with me and encouraged me to check my eligibility and apply, saying,  “Adeo find out if you are eligible and apply”. Although I drafted my application that year, I did not manage to submit it. 

Fastforward to 2023, a professional acquaintance sent me the advertisements only two days before the deadline, apologizing for the delay and encouraging me to still apply within that short timeframe. Although hesitant, I revisited my earlier draft and made revisions. I submitted my application just a minute before the deadline, and the rest is now history. By May 2024, I was honored to be a biodiversity fellow at the esteemed Oxford University.

Adeola presenting at the biodiversity coffee morning seminar. (Photo Credit: Tom White)

My time in Oxford was both transformative and rewarding, I was able to immerse myself in the analysis of bat sounds under the supervision of Dr. Ricardo Rocha, while exploring the historic and vibrant academic environment. The blend of rigorous scientific engagement and the rich cultural heritage of Oxford left an indelible mark on me.  I delivered presentations on our work at SMACON to the Interdisciplinary Center for Conservation Science (ICCS) team and at the Biodiversity coffee morning. This allowed me to discuss my work with other scholars that led to stimulating conversations and ideas that will benefit my future work.

The core of my fellowship was learning about bat echolocation calls (sounds that bats make to navigate through the use of echo) and how to analyze them. Although we deploy acoustic detectors as part of efforts to expand our call library at SMACON, I had no prior experience with acoustic analysis, thus, this was a new adventure and quite challenging for me as I had to first familiarize myself with the different call types, shapes and frequencies and also understand that calls differ based on the activity or situation the bats are in whether foraging, navigating or roosting.

I had the privilege of attending presentations and plenary discussions from conservation experts in various fields and expertise. It was a great opportunity to meet with different people in different conservation fields and understand how they are able to navigate conservation challenges. One of the plenary talks that still seats was tagged “Knock knock, Scientist speaks will Policy answer?”  a major take home being science should be integrated into policy alongside the economic and political factors. It became clear that scientists should not only produce research but also advocate for the inclusion of their findings in policy deliberations. This involves speaking in public fora, engaging with media, and participating in policymaking processes. With real-world examples given by the plenary speakers I learned that the best policy solutions come from interdisciplinary collaboration, combining insights from biology, economics, social sciences, and law. 

I visited the Ashmolean Museum and ran into the one and only Jonathan Kingdon—talk about a wild encounter!

My fellowship was more than just an academic endeavor; it was an immersion in the culture and history of Oxford. I was able to explore the city’s remarkable history and art, gaining a deeper Appreciation for how past and present intertwine. One such memory was on my visit to Oxford University Museum of Natural History.  I was stunned to see the evolution of things as little and probably unattractive as keys….yes Keys!, reinforcing the idea that we are constantly reintroducing ancient knowledge and traditions into our modern and how this shapes our current understanding of the world.

The blend of academic growth and personal exploration left me with memories and lessons that will undoubtedly shape my professional and career growth. Whether walking through the halls of the Ashmolean Museum, reflecting in the Botanical Gardens, or exploring the vibrant streets of Oxford, this experience was fantastic and therapeutic in every sense.

One of the things I miss most is the weekly ICCS meetings, the free coffee at the cafeteria, and the meals at Merton College. I fondly remember my work space in Room 10.14, which became my academic haven during the fellowship.

Found inspiration at the Oxford Botanic Garden.

The fellowship was also about building relationships. I am grateful to the Leventis fellowship for offering me this opportunity of a lifetime, to the director of ICCS, Professor EJ Milner-Gulland and Dr. Ricardo Rochas for their guidance and encouragement throughout the Fellowship. Also to Research coordinator Lucy Radford for always making sure that all the Fellows were comfortable. To my Directors (Drs. Obitte and Tanshi) who granted permission to go three months out of work in peak activity, thank you. To my professional friend Deji Bolade, thank you for convincing me to apply for the fellowship. Also to the special one I consider my Oxford buddy, Ella Browning thanks for making the whole experience a little less challenging. I hope we get to have our bat walk some day one day. I am excited and can’t wait for the opportunities that lie ahead.