MPhil in Conservation Leadership

Since completing the course, my outlook as a conservationist has changed substantially. My learning curve shot up after this course and it strengthened my level of confidence. The course nurtured my career interests in the way I wanted. Before joining the programme, I already had experience in finance management and addressing conservation issues at the grassroots level. I was keen to build on these skills and explore the possibilities of applying finance as a tool to addressing conservation problems. It is a niche segment with very few groups having the necessary skills and experience. My Masters placement project made way for it as I got to work with Fauna & Flora on this topic. It then lead me to work with RSPB to gain experience at a conservation site in Indonesia. Now I work full time with Fauna & flora in this technical space to help regional program in Africa and Asia build and implement projects. So, the course opened new doors for me in many unexpected ways. When I was part of the programme, it challenged me to unlearn many aspects that I had learnt over the years to re-learn about the same issues from multiple perspectives. For example, before the course, my way of addressing a problem was more of a knee jerk reaction. But now I am trained to look at the same problem from a holistic and systemic perspective, to understand the root causes at a deeper level before exploring long terms solutions for those problems. The course has a lot MORE to offer than what is taught in the classroom. The programme is housed at the David Attenborough Building, which is a fantastic place to get to know how international organisations are working across the world and interact with some extraordinary people. The classmates themselves come with incredible and diverse experience who eventually become friends, family and an invaluable network. The course academic and admin team is a huge guiding force to the students. They hand-hold and support even after the students graduate. The alumni network is actively working on many global policy issues. The program has even set up a fund exclusively for the alumni to support their projects and help them become conservation leaders in the real world. It is definitely a great platform and a phenomenal program to be part of to evolve as empowered changemakers in conservation.

Mrunmayee Amarnath (March 2023)

One of the best things about the MPhil in Conservation Leadership is that it is multi-disciplinary, recognising that conservation is not only about science, but is cross-sectoral, needing an understanding of various disciplines--economics, politics, communications, culture, and arts. The breadth of subjects and lectures is extraordinary. It exposes you to various viewpoints on conservation and encourages you to think, and debate. It gives you the freedom to develop your ideas and research while being supportive. The learning and the exposure help you gain confidence and empowers you to lead.  You meet practitioners working in different geographies within your cohort, and the wider community at the David Attenborough Building where the course is housed. I find it is professionally designed and executed, but it has heart, very much the way the world of conservation does.

Prerna Bindra (April 2019)

The MPhil in Conservation leadership surpassed my expectations! The diversity of students within the course with different backgrounds and expertise that one can always leverage from is one of the best characteristics of the course. I have been able to create lifetime networks, through interacting with students and experts within the 'David Attenborough' building where the teaching room is located. Classes are given by world-renowned conservationists and experts from international NGOs and leaders within the field from around the globe. The course has developed my confidence, critical and independent thinking, and I have gained in-depth knowledge on the various facets of conservation, including but not limited to science, policy, communication and financial management for leaders. Independence in individuals that is instilled by the course, arms one to be a self-starter in leading change towards biodiversity conservation.  It goes without saying that I highly recommend this course.

Nobesuthu Ngwenya (April 2019)