Forest Research Chief Scientist appointed Honorary Professor of Bangor University

Bianca Ambrose-Oji, Chief Scientist, Forest Research, has been appointed as an Honorary Professor by Bangor University.

This prestigious title has been awarded in recognition of Professor Ambrose-Oji’s major achievements during her academic and research career, which includes her previous role as a researcher and lecturer at Bangor University.

Professor Ambrose-Oji’s career in forestry spans more than 30 years, working across the UK, Europe, Africa and Asia as a social forester, action researcher, consultant, practitioner, professional trainer and educator. Bianca gained a Master’s degree in Forestry from the University of Oxford and a doctorate in Tropical Forestry and Environmental Sociology from Imperial College, University of London. She was appointed as the Chief Scientist of Forest Research in June this year.

Professor Ambrose-Oji, Chief Scientist, Forest Research said: “I am delighted and immensely proud to be appointed Honorary Professor in Bangor University. I have worked closely with the School of Environmental and Natural Sciences team at the University for many years and admire the innovative and world-leading programmes of research and education which the faculty deliver.”

Bianca continued: “I very much enjoyed my time teaching at the University, encouraging others to develop a passion for forestry and forest science, as well as more recent opportunities to facilitate connections between FR and University scientists. I look forward to the opportunities that my appointment brings, further building research collaboration with the University and strengthening Forest Research’s partnerships in Wales. Cross-disciplinary partnerships are immensely important as we continue to develop leading science for the forestry sector to thrive – science that delivers solutions which are practical, realistic and work for everyone.”

John Healey, Professor of Forest Sciences at Bangor University said: “I am delighted about the University’s appointment of Bianca as Honorary Professor. This is a very appropriate recognition of her huge achievements as a researcher and leader of the Society and Environment Research Group of Forest Research, culminating in her ground-breaking appointment as a social scientist to the post of Chief Scientist.”

John added: “In the University, while we have a strong and proud track-record of collaboration with Forest Research, we welcome the potential for new and strengthened cooperation that Bianca’s appointment will bring. This will include building the impact of our mutual research on policy development at this time of heightened recognition of the importance of woodlands and trees in meeting the major challenges of climate change, biodiversity conservation and human wellbeing.  We also look forward to the valuable contribution that Bianca will make to the social forestry component of our flagship MSc forestry degree programmes, our postgraduate research students and our ongoing research projects.”