Jessica Fisher

I am an interdisciplinary conservation scientist, currently a Research Fellow on the E3 Sharing Space for Nature initiative at the Durrell Institute for Conservation and Ecology (DICE), University of Kent. In this role, I am exploring the intersection between human health and wellbeing, nature restoration, and environmental health inequalities. With a background in ecology and conservation from Newcastle University and University College London (UCL), my research expertise bridges the ecological and social sciences to understand how biodiversity supports human health and wellbeing, with a focus on cultural ‘ecosystem services’ (the identities, capabilities, and experiences that people create and express through interactions with ecosystems). 

My research explores how ecosystems impact health and wellbeing outcomes (physical, psychological, social, and spiritual), which could underpin so-called ‘nature-based health interventions’ (social or ‘green’ prescribing), public health policies, or landscape changes targeted at improving human quality of life (e.g. access to green space or blue space). These ideas highlight the interdependence between well-functioning ecosystems both preventing illness and promoting good health (‘planetary health’), which is critical at a time of global environmental uncertainty. I am subsequently designing and implementing projects that explore how nature can mitigate the negative health impacts of environmental change, across different sectors of society and cultures, which I would like to further with CHaI. I always strive for mixed-methods approaches, combining qualitative methods such as participatory video and photo elicitation, with quantitative approaches such as structural equation modelling and spatial modelling. Through the CHaI community, we can better understand how biodiversity relates to health and illness across a plurality of cultures, knowledge systems and worldviews. In a changing world, I want to help show that biodiversity benefits all of us!

Email: J.C.Fisher@kent.ac.uk

Affiliation: University of Kent, United Kingdom