Imperial College
Centre for Environmental Policy
Division of Biology
Silwood Park
Buckhurst Road, Ascot
SL5 7PY

e: emily.woodhouse @ imperial.ac.uk
t: +44 (0) 207 594 2494

Research interests

Broadly, my research interests lie in understanding the links between social institutions, culture, livelihoods and natural resource management with the aim of developing successful conservation strategies which benefit local communities and biodiversity.

Current research

I am currently studying the effect of Tibetan Buddhist culture on the conservation behaviour of communities in Western Sichuan, China where there are significant social and economic changes occurring.

Although philosophical parallels exist between Buddhism and modern ecological thinking, at an institutional and community level, Buddhist teachings may not translate directly into corresponding actions. Using both social and ecological research approaches, I will explore how generally held beliefs and norms, as well as the economic, institutional and legal structures stemming from Buddhism, may affect conservation outcomes. The research will focus specifically on the conservation of Galliformes of which there are 27 species in Sichuan.

As China develops its economy, there has been a shift towards more extractive and large scale natural resource practices, and increasing domestic tourism in Sichuan. My research aims to understand local traditions and culture in the context of new development in order to formulate conservation strategies to manage this change.

The project is supervised jointly by Prof. E.J. Milner-Gulland (Imperial College), Dr. Phil McGowan (World Pheasant Association), and Dr. Martin A. Mills (University of Aberdeen).

It is funded by the ESRC with CASE funding from the World Pheasant Association.

Brief CV

Oct 2008 – present PhD at Imperial College, London

June-Sep 2008 Visiting Researcher, Imperial College
A study into the vulnerability of a community on the Indus delta, Pakistan to the effects of climate change, in association with Government College, Lahore and WWF Pakistan

2007-08 The Green Belt Movement International, London

2005-06 MSc Environmental Technology, Imperial College London
Global Environmental Change & Policy Option
Thesis: Perceptions of conservation by women and children in the Palas Valley, Pakistan, and implications for environmental education (LINK to pdf)

2004-05 Intern, Green Alliance, London

2000-03 BA (Hons) Biological Science, Oxford University