Dr Jacqui Wilmshurst

I am working towards a PhD exploring human-wildlife relationships in urban environments. 

As a wildlife rehabilitator and urban dweller, I know that we have much to learn from our relationships (for better and for worse) with the wild animals with whom live in closest proximity; about them, about us - including our own animal and wild natures - about what we value and care about/for and how, and towards co-creating healthier multispecies communities. 

Using multispecies autoethnography, the research focuses on relationships with wild animals both in my care and in the wild around my urban home - in particular the less popular species often considered to be 'pests' or nuisances. I explore cultural phenomena through personal narrative accounts of these relationships, and reflections on conversations and shared experiences with others in my human communities, weaving in analysis from diverse fields including animal ethics, critical animal studies, environmental ethics, care ethics, and philosophical ethology.

I have a previous academic background in environmental and health psychology. This research examined human-natural environment relationships as applied to natural hazards and cultural framings on risk. Other 'ways of knowing' were explored alongside conventional scientific and academic enquiry, including indigenous and traditional knowledge, about our place within the natural world and our relationships with other animals.

In addition to my work as an academic, I was previously an officer in the British Army (retired as Captain) and a leader in mental health and wellbeing in large complex organisations including the BBC, Meta and TikTok. I am a Chartered Member and Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Socety, in the Division of Academics, Researchers and Teachers in Psychology.

For the past decade I have been working as a consultant and senior leader in workplace health & wellbeing, learning & leadership, environment & wellbeing, and conservation psychology. 

www.jacquiwilmshurst.com