Honorary Doctorate for Centre Director

Professor Chris Joyce was recently awarded an honorary doctorate by the Estonian University of Life Sciences for “exceptional service to the University”.   Chris, who is Director of the Centre for Aquatic Environments at the University of Brighton, was cited by the Estonian University as “an internationally recognised scientist and expert in the field of ecology who has contributed considerably to promoting international co-operation”.  He received the award at the winter conferment ceremony at the University in Tartu in November.

Chris has been leading research in Estonia for over 25 years, focussing on wetland biodiversity, management and restoration.  His work in the 1990s was the first to compare the status of wetlands in Estonia with central and western European countries and classify them in relation to land abandonment.  He then pioneered restoration techniques and monitoring of biodiversity in the 2000s.  More recently, Chris has been working with colleagues in Estonia to develop remote sensing and field methods to assess and monitor coastal wetlands.  His research has been funded by the UK government, the Earthwatch Institute, and the European Union, including supporting staff and student exchange between Brighton and Estonia for over 10 years.

Chris commented that “it is of course a great honour for me to receive this award, but really it recognises all of the talented colleagues at Brighton and in Estonia who have contributed to this research over the years.  The success of our wetland research programme in Estonia is down to this wonderful team effort, and I look forward to even more years of fruitful collaboration.”