Matthew Ford Email & Phone Number

Currently leading the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species assessment process for freshwater fishes within the framework of the European Commission-funded 'Pulse' project, which aims to guide policy decisions and conservation actions through the Red Listing of 11 taxonomic groups as input to the European Union's biodiversity strategy for 2030. My work within this project includes:• Preparation and writing of individual extinction risk assessments for 560 taxa at the global, regional and… Show more Currently leading the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species assessment process for freshwater fishes within the framework of the European Commission-funded 'Pulse' project, which aims to guide policy decisions and conservation actions through the Red Listing of 11 taxonomic groups as input to the European Union's biodiversity strategy for 2030. My work within this project includes:• Preparation and writing of individual extinction risk assessments for 560 taxa at the global, regional and EU27 scales, including: creation of all associated texts, literature reviews, expert interviews, and geographic range mapping (ArcMap Pro/QGIS).• Organisation and facilitation of international review workshops incorporating governmental institutions, fisheries authorities, researchers, NGOs and other relevant parties.• Authorship of the 2024 IUCN Red List of European Freshwater Fishes report.• Provision of technical guidance to government agencies responsible for National Red Listing processes. Show less

Berlin, Germany

• Selected for Innovative Training Network funded by the European Union under the Horizon 2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, focused on the interface between biodiversity conservation science and international policy.• Led the first comprehensive IUCN Red List assessment of North African freshwater fishes, including: creation of all species risk assessments, spatial analysis and mapping, organisation and facilitation of expert review workshop in Rabat, Morocco.• Contributed… Show more • Selected for Innovative Training Network funded by the European Union under the Horizon 2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, focused on the interface between biodiversity conservation science and international policy.• Led the first comprehensive IUCN Red List assessment of North African freshwater fishes, including: creation of all species risk assessments, spatial analysis and mapping, organisation and facilitation of expert review workshop in Rabat, Morocco.• Contributed freshwater fish species evaluations and other technical input towards a revised methodology for the IUCN Green Status of Species.• Published extensive peer-reviewed report on threatened freshwater fishes of the Mediterranean region, covering species diversity, threat analysis and geographic range mapping.• Received unique applied training in the fields of science communication, dissemination and outreach, theory and practice of communicating at the science policy interface, identification and delineation of globally important biodiversity areas, and application of policy-relevant support tools and methodologies as indicators of progress towards international biodiversity commitments.• Project partners included IUCN, Birdlife International, Zoological Society of London and the UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre. Show less

• Independently contracted to participate in field expeditions evaluating fish species diversity and identifying potential conservation sites in Peninsular Malaysia, Malaysian Borneo, Indonesia, Cuba, Israel, Cyprus and Turkey.• Provided advisory and strategic support to governmental institutions and conservation NGOs implementing freshwater fish conservation management projects located within protected areas, including Ciénaga de Zapata National Park (Cuba), Enot Tsukim Nature Reserve… Show more • Independently contracted to participate in field expeditions evaluating fish species diversity and identifying potential conservation sites in Peninsular Malaysia, Malaysian Borneo, Indonesia, Cuba, Israel, Cyprus and Turkey.• Provided advisory and strategic support to governmental institutions and conservation NGOs implementing freshwater fish conservation management projects located within protected areas, including Ciénaga de Zapata National Park (Cuba), Enot Tsukim Nature Reserve (Israel), Akrotiri Wetlands (Cyprus).• Conducted monitoring of Critically Endangered European Eel in the Guadiaro River system, Spain, in order to develop a species management plan within the framework of the European Union Eel Regulation 1100/2007. Show less

• Launched online aquarium fish database built in Wordpress, currently including more than 2,000 species with a membership exceeding 28,000. • Responsible for website administration, content management, social media and networking with relevant parties.

Delta Del Llobregat Natural Park, Barcelona, Spain

• Co-managed rehabilitation program for endemic fish taxa comprising ex-situ reproduction, reintroduction and habitat restoration efforts within a European Union Natura 2000 protected area.• Managed funding applications, outreach activities, progress reports, press releases, blogs, social media and other publicity, written in both English and Spanish.

Created monthly short- and long-form content for 'Practical Fishkeeping' magazine.

Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom

• Oversaw management and maintenance of commercial aquatic facility supplying species to zoological institutions and the ornamental trade.

Master Of Science (Ms), Biodiversity, First Class Honours

Study areas: Conservation of Continental Waters and Wetlands, Management and Analysis of Biodiversity Data, Evaluation of Biodiversity.

Bachelor’S Degree, Environmental Science

Study areas: Animal Population Dynamics, Behavioural Ecology and Applied Behaviour, Conservation Biology, Entomology, Environmental.