‘eighty years of promoting biodiversity conservation through taxonomic research, scientific training and international networks’
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Training students from Yangon University, Myanmar.

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The PhD studies of Nikky Thomas and Yasantha Mapatuna of the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka were both co-supervised by staff of the Harrison Institute.


Training and academic supervision


Two recent projects funded by the Darwin Initiative involved the training of 9 MSc and 9 PhD students in aspects of bat taxonomy and ecology.  The projects were:
  • Taxonomic initiative for Southeast Asian bat studies (Thailand, Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam) [more information]

  • Biodiversity assessment of limestone karst dependent bats in Myanmar (Burma) [more information]


All current projects include aspects of training [more information]


In-house training

Three members of staff, current and past, have been awarded higher degrees while working and researching at the Harrison Institute.  These include:

  • Dr Paul Bates, Director of the Institute, awarded his PhD by Royal Holloway College, London University in 1987 for his study of Systematics and Zoogeography of Tatera (Rodentia: Gerbillinae) of north-east Africa and Asia

  • Malcolm Pearch, researcher and administrator of the Institute, awarded his MPhil by the University of Aberdeen in 2009 for his study of Small Mammal Biodiversity in Nepal

  • Dr Nikky Thomas , former staff member and currently a Trustee of the Institute, was awarded her PhD by the University of Aberdeen for her study entitled A systematic review of selected Afro-Asiatic Rhinolophidae (Mammalia: Chiroptera); an evaluation of taxonomic methodologies.