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Dr. Julia Newth

Ecosystem Health & Social Dimensions Manager

Honorary Lecturer at the University of Exeter

Chair of the IUCN SSC Global Swan Specialist Group

Contact details

ResearchGate

About me

My life-long fascination with the natural world and how we interact with it led me to undertake a degree in Geography at the University of Southampton. Enjoying the sciences and the arts in equal measure, the breadth of the discipline allowed me to explore everything from social science and psychology to ecology and oceanography, laying the foundations for an interdisciplinary career.

I went on to complete a PhD with the University of Exeter and WWT, combining ecology, psychology and the social sciences to investigate two interconnected conservation challenges: the impacts of lead poisoning on migratory waterbirds in Europe and the human dimensions of illegal shooting in the Russian Arctic. This work cemented my belief that effective conservation depends as much on understanding people as it does wildlife.

My role

I lead WWT's Ecosystem Health and Social Dimensions team. We examine the role of healthy wetlands in tackling today's biggest challenges, from improving mental health and wellbeing, to strengthening community resilience to climate change and enriching culture and quality of life. Using a range of social science methods, we build the evidence needed to restore and protect wetlands by demonstrating their value to people and society. Our work investigates how connecting people with nature inspires support for wetland restoration, the behaviours that sustain healthy wetland ecosystems, and the socio-economic drivers of wetland degradation. By working closely with policymakers, researchers, communicators, communities and practitioners, we turn research into action, ensuring it informs policy, practice and public engagement.

A significant focus of my work has been addressing lead pollution and poisoning, making the case for change through science, comms, advocacy and policy work. Working with international partners, I helped drive regulatory change that led to bans on lead ammunition in Britain (2026) and the European Union (in wetlands in 2023), as well as a restriction on lead fishing tackle across the EU (2026).

Throughout my career, my goal has been to combine rigorous science with creative approaches that turn research into real-world impact for wetlands and the people who depend on them.

Experience and interests

  • Project management from project conception to completion, including design, planning, implementation, budget management, risk management, contractual agreements and reporting.
  • Stakeholder/community engagement and participatory techniques.
  • Data analysis (quantitative and qualitative). Proficient in R and other statistical packages.
  • Social & ecological data collection and management involving survey work in remote and demanding locations and managing long-term datasets.
  • Teaching & supervision: Co-supervision of PhD candidates and guest lecturer on MSc and undergrad courses.
  • Communication to a variety of audiences (academics, policy makers, communities and the general public). Previous platforms include the Royal Geographic Society, the European Parliament, the Council of Europe, the Arctic Biodiversity Congress and community group meetings.
  • Media trained and frequent interviewee - I'm always happy to shout about our work! Previous interviews include Radio 4's Today Programme and Saturday Live, BBC Breakfast and BBC Autumnwatch.

Publications

Thornton, S.A., Freeman, W, Jupe L.L., Newth, J.L., Reeves, J.P., Wood, K.A. & Woroniecki, S. 2025. Challenges and opportunities for integrating social science in a conservation nongovernmental organization. Conservation Biology. 39 (2). doi: 10.1111/cobi.70002. PMID: 40165701.

Wood, K.A., Jupe, L.J., Aguiar, F.C., Collins, A.M., Davidson, S.J., Freeman, W., Kirkpatrick, L., Lobato-de Magalhães, T., McKinley, E., Nuno, A,, Pagès, J.F., Petruzzella, A., Pritchard, D., Reeves, J.P., Magela Thomaz, S., Thornton, S.A., Yamashita, H., & Newth, J.L. 2024. A global systematic review of the cultural ecosystem services provided by wetlands. Ecosystem Services: 70. doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoser.2024.101673.

Newth, J.L., McDonald, R.A., Wood, K.A., Rees, E.C., Semenov, I., Chistyakov, A., Mikhaylova, G., Bearhop, S., Cromie, R.L., Belousova, A., Glazov, P. & Nuno, A. 2022. Predicting intention to hunt protected wildlife: a case study of Bewick's swans in the European Russian Arctic. Oryx. 56 (2): 228-240. doi:10.1017/S0030605320000435

Brittain, S., Ibbett, H., de Lange, E., Dorward, L., Hoyte, S., Marino, A., Milner-Gulland, E.J., Newth, J., Rakotonarivo, S., Verissimo, D. & Lewis, J. 2020. Ethical considerations when conservation research involves people. Conservation Biology, doi.org/10.1111/cobi.13464

Newth, J.L., Wood, K.A., McDonald, R.A., Nuno, A., Semenov, I., Chistyakov, A., Mikhaylova, G., Bearhop, S., Belousova, A., Glazov, P., Cromie, R.L. & Rees, E.C. 2019a. Conservation implications of misidentification and killing of protected species. Conservation Science and Practice, doi: 10.1111/csp2.24

Newth J.L., Lawrence, A., Cromie, R.L., Swift, J.A., Rees, E.C., Wood, K.A., Strong, E.A., Reeves, J. & McDonald, R.A. 2019b. Perspectives of ammunition users on the use of lead ammunition and its potential impacts on wildlife and humans. People and Nature, doi: 10.1002/pan3.30

Newth, J.L., Cromie, R.L., Brown, M.J., Delahay, R.J., Meharg A.A., Deacon, C., Norton, G. J., O'Brien, M.F. & Pain, D.J. 2012. Poisoning from lead gunshot: still a threat to wild waterbirds in Britain. European Journal of Wildlife Research 59: 195-204.