Francis Massé

Dr Francis Massé

Assistant Professor in Geography and Environmental Sciences

What area does your research focus on?

I seek to understand how we can make wildlife conservation work for nature and people. My research focuses on the political-economic and sustainable development related dynamics of wildlife conservation, with a focus on Southern and East Africa.

I am particularly interested in how the use of wildlife, such as poaching and wildlife trade, and challenges and efforts to regulate this and conserve wildlife intersect with broader concerns around public health, security and sustainable development.

What are the other key aspects of your role?

I am Programme Lead for the Masters in Disaster Management and Sustainable Development, module convenor for Master’s level module Themes in Sustainable Development. I provide supervision for PGR students in addition to MSc and undergrad dissertations. I am also the Deputy Lead for the Centre for Global Development where I organise seminar series and related research activities.

What do you like to do outside of work?

I enjoy outdoor adventure sports and spend most of my time mountain biking, rock climbing, and doing multi-day bikepacking trips. I also love music.

What do you think you could particularly offer mentoring support with?

Over 10 years of experience conducting research in Southern and East Africa with collaborators, students and research assistants there and leading a Master’s programme made up of largely international students means I am keenly aware of the realities and challenges of students and PGRs from the Global South and can help navigate these.

I can help you find the story you want to tell and develop and am well-placed to guide you in developing a research plan and fieldwork-related methodology. Personally, I know what it means to be an immigrant in the UK as I am an immigrant myself.