I am a conservation biologist at WildCRU, University of Oxford. My current research focuses on the ecology of clouded leopards and leopards in the Himalayas, human-wolf interactions in Central Asian societies, and on fostering transdisciplinary mindsets in conflict management and carnivore conservation.

I have been working in wildlife conservation since the 1990s. Prior to joining WildCRU in 2011, I was a research fellow at CIHEAM, France and MAICh, Greece, worked for WWF Turkey and Birdlife Turkey, undertook research with USGS Minnesota Wolf Project, WWF (US, Netherlands, Turkey, and Georgia offices), UNDP, Council of Europe and World Animal Protection.

My approach is to design and implement problem-oriented studies to address applied, real-world conservation issues, and to propose science-based solutions to the problems faced by carnivores, including grey wolves, brown bears, striped hyena and leopards. I have worked with diverse groups – from fellow researchers to remote communities and governmental policy makers – to effect positive change for people and carnivores across countries including Turkey, Greece, US, Romania, Georgia and Nepal.

From 1996-2011, I assisted the national wildlife authority in Turkey to establish a countrywide mammal monitoring system, modernise wildlife management and conservation legislation, improve the conservation status of grey wolves, striped hyena and leopards, initiate national efforts to manage human bear conflict and undertake countrywide habitat restoration efforts for wildlife. I have also contributed to cross-boundary nature protection efforts in the Caucasus, worked to strengthen the IUCN network in Central Asia as co-chair of the IUCN Bear Specialist Group South Asia Brown Bear Expert Team and played a key role in the establishment of the IUCN BSG Human-Bear Conflict Expert Team. I have trained students and wildlife managers in techniques for surveying rare species in remote environments and for managing human-wildlife conflicts, and also worked to produce educational materials and TV documentaries.

I am a council member of the International Association for Bear Research and Management, a member of the IUCN Wolf, Bear, Canid, Hyaena, Deer Specialist Groups, a member of the IUCN SSC/WCPA Protected Areas and Biodiversity Task Force, Human Wildlife Conflict Task Force and a former board member of the Society for Conservation Biology Europe Section.

For a list of publications and further information please visit my website or email me at emre.can@zoo.ox.ac.uk.