Robert Mcdougall Email & Phone Number

Dublin, Ie

Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland

In this role I am responsible for investigating the impacts of EU legislation to reduce pesticide use in member states by 50% by 2030. I'm investigating how this reduction will specifically affect Irish farmers, looking at environmental, economic and social impacts, as well as examining alternative pest management strategies.

Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland

In this role I was responsible for developing methodology to monitor the effectiveness of environmental schemes under the European Union's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Subsidies paid to farmers under the CAP are progressively becoming more focused on the achievement of environmental outcomes, however many of the desired outcomes, particularly those relating to biodiversity, are difficult and/or time consuming to measure and doing so can impose a large administrative burden on farmers. Thus, my work in this position focused on finding ways to use remotely sensed data to measure changes in biodiversity at a farm and national scale, with the ultimate goal of tailoring future farm subsidy schemes towards achieving concrete, measurable environmental outcomes.

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

My main role in this position was carrying out research and extension activities related to the impact of commonly used agricultural chemicals on beneficial arthropods found in grain crops. I conducted experiments to determine what chemicals are compatible with Integrated Pest Management programs, and which should be avoided in all but the most dire situations, with the objective of developing an easy to understand guide for growers, agronomists and the rest of the industry.This work formed part of the broader Australian Grains Pest Innovation Project (AGPIP), funded by the Grain Research and Development Council.

New Jersey, Usa

In this position I worked on two research projects to assist in controlling key pests of fruits crops on the US East Coast. I worked to improve our understanding of the life cycles and spatial distribution of two species (Plum Curculio - Conotrachelus nenuphar, and Brown Marmorated Stink Bug - Halyomorpha halys) so that integrated management approaches can be used.

Following completion of my PhD I served in a short term position with Invocare, the market leader in the Australian funeral industry, to provide statistical modelling support. I applied many of the statistical techniques I learned throughout my PhD and produced Australia's first suburb-level prediction of death rates over the next decade, allowing Invocare to better plan the future development of their business.

As an ecologist my role was to carry out environmental research and report on the findings of this to a range of private and government clients. Key tasks included: •Assessing and monitoring of flora, fauna, ecological communities and the abiotic environment in urban and natural settings.•Reporting and advising on management of threatened species, ecological communities and other valuable environmental assets.•Statutory assessment of environmental compliance. •Planning environmental remediation works.As Tendering Manager my role was to actively seek out and apply for new opportunities for the company. Key tasks included:•Responding on behalf of Ecological Consultants Australia to Requests for Tender and Expressions of Interest. •Devising methodology for research assessment and environmental remediation projects. •Budgeting projects.•Delegating, supervising and carrying out quality control of other staff also carrying out above functions. I resigned my role as Tendering Manager in February 2015 in order to focus on my PhD however I remained in my role as an ecologist part-time until March 2019.

Sydney, Australia

My research focused on the role that small scale agricultural systems in urban environments can play in providing food security, as well as assessing their sustainability from an ecological, energetic and economic perspective. My work also involved measuring ecosystem services provided within urban environments and assessing the factors that influence provision of these services.Key research tasks undertaken include:•Economic and ‘eMergetic’ analysis of inputs and outputs to urban farms.•Crowd-sourcing data on urban farming activities. •GIS based modelling of potential growing space on a city-wide scale.•Field based measurement of biotic and abiotic resources available to urban fauna.•Direct and indirect measurement of urban fauna and their provision of valuable ecosystem services to farms.•Landscape analysis and statistical modelling of factors contributing to ecosystem service provision.I completed my PhD in December 2018, and was awarded my degree, along with the Chancellor's Research Medal in recognition of the quality of my work, in August 2019.

In this role I provided high level research services to elected Councillors to assist them in their decision making responsibilities and reviewed Council plans, policies and other documents on their behalf. My research work had a strong focus on environmental, social welfare and planning issues due to these matter being priorities for the Councillors I served. Key tasks undertaken included:•Providing plain-English advice to the Councillors I served based on scientific, legal and community interest factors.•Commenting on and providing quality control to Council plans and policies on behalf of Councillors I served.•Assisting in the assessment of urban planning decisions by Councillors.•Conducting community liaison activities to ensure Councillors understood public views on contentious matters.

In this role I was responsible for ensuring an effective policy framework existed for the management of the New South Wales national parks estate, ensuring that this vast and diverse landscape served as a valuable conservation resource, as well as providing for public recreation where appropriate. Key functions included:•Developing and reviewing policies for the management of protected lands.•Conducting community consultation and liaison programs to ensure policies were in line with community expectations as well as statutory requirements. •Assisting in the review of environmental regulation related to wildlife and protected lands.

Sydney, Australia

In this role I provided syllabus-based educational programs to high school classes in outdoor environments as part of year 7-12 biology, geography and general science curricula. Work involved a combination of lecturing, facilitating hands-on learning and developing educational materials.

I worked full time in the bush regeneration industry throughout 2002 and early 2003 and then part time throughout most of my period of undergraduate study (until 2008), working for a number of employers including private companies and local governments. Functions included:•Hands-on remediation work of natural environments through revegetation, weed management and erosion control.•Supervising other staff in carrying out above works.•Planning for future remediation projects.

Education record

Permaculture Design Certificate

Bsc (Hons) Environmental And Life Sciences, Ecology, First Class Honours

Majored in Biology (ecology) with a minor focus in physical geography and geology.