Teaching & Research
Teaching
Kate teaches on several modules across the BSc Biology programme, including modules covering biological diversity, animal physiology, data analysis and research project design, and parasitology.
Research
Kate’s current research interests focus on understanding the impacts of habitat change, climate change and species interactions on ecological systems. Kate is a member of the Sustainable Environments Research Group.
Key research areas include:
- Conservation of threatened species in the UK, particularly invertebrates and birds
- Invasive alien species
- Enhancing ecosystem services in agricultural landscapes
- Impacts of social behaviour on population dynamics under changing environmental conditions
Member of the Sustainable Environments Research Group: Sustainable Environments Research Group
Post-graduate research
PhD Studentships available at the University of Worcester are advertised on FindAPhD.com. I also welcome any approach from self-funded high achieving graduates that would like to study for a PhD in Behavioural Ecology at the University of Worcester. Topics of particular interest would focus on conservation management of invertebrates, habitat management and the delivery of ecosystem services.
Current Post-graduate students
Andrea Tapia (PhD student) – Understanding bumblebee wildflower meadow habitat preferences using multi-scale remote sensing data (Director of Studies)
Augustinas Bacys (PhD student) – Potential for recovery of brown bear (Ursus arctos) populations in Lithuania
Completed post-graduate students
Alice Mockford: Enhancing pest regulation by natural enemies in Spanish orange groves
Zeus Fierro (PhD student): Sustainable production of sweet cherry: maximizing benefits from ecosystem services
Chris Clarke (MRes student): Evaluation of potential release sites for Great Bustard (Otis tarda) around Salisbury Plain
Publications
Mateos Fierro, Z., Fountain, M.T., Garratt, M.P.D, Ashbrook, K. and Westbury, D.B. (2021) Active management of wildflower strips in commercial sweet cherry orchards enhances natural enemies and pest regulation services. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 317, 107485. [Download]
Siljamo, P., Ashbrook, K., Comont, R.F. and Skjøth, C. (2020) Do atmospheric events explain the arrival of an invasive ladybird (Harmonia axyridis) in the UK? PLOS ONE, 15 (1). e0219335. [Download]
Slater, T.S., Ashbrook, K., and Kriwet, J. (2020) Evolutionary relationships among bullhead sharks (Chondrichthyes: Heterodontiformes). Papers in Palaeontology, 6 (3). pp. 425-437. [Download]
Mateos-Fierro, Z., Garratt, M., Fountain, M.T., Ashbrook, K., and Westbury, D.B. (2018) Wildflower strip establishment for the delivery of ecosystem services in sweet cherry orchards. Aspects of Applied Biology: Ecosystem and Habitat Management: Research, Policy, Practice, 139. 179-186
Comont, R.F. & Ashbrook, K., (2016). Evaluating promotional approaches for citizen science biological recording: bumblebees as a group versus Harmonia axyridis as a flagship for ladybirds. BioControl, 62 (3), pp. 309 - 318 [Download]
Ashbrook, K., Taylor, A., Jane, L., Carter, I. & Székely, T. (2015). Impacts of survival and reproductive success on long-term population viability of reintroduced great bustards. Oryx. 50 (4): 583-592
Gooch, S., Ashbrook, K., Taylor, A. & Székely, T. (2015). Using dietary analysis and habitat selection to inform conservation management of reintroduced Great Bustards Otis tarda in an agricultural landscape. Bird Study. 62:298 - 302
Ashbrook, K., & Székely, T. (2014). Using evidence-based conservation and public engagement in the reintroduction of Great Bustard into the UK. Research Excellence Framework Impact Case Study. Department of Biology & Biochemistry, University of Bath
Williams, T., Taylor, A. Ashbrook, K., Rose, H. & Waters, D. (2013). LIFE+ Project “Reintroducing the Great Bustard Otis tarda to Southern England (LIFE09/NAT/UK/020): Year 3 Summary
Williams, T., Taylor, A. Ashbrook, K., Rose, H. & Waters, D. (2012). LIFE+ Project “Reintroducing the Great Bustard Otis tarda to Southern England (LIFE09/NAT/UK/020): Year 2 Summary
Williams, T., Taylor, A. Ashbrook, K., Rose, H. & Waters, D. (2011). LIFE+ Project “Reintroducing the Great Bustard Otis tarda to Southern England (LIFE09/NAT/UK/020): Year 1 Summary
Ashbrook, K., Wanless, S., Harris, M.P., & Hamer, K.C. (2011). Kleptoparasitism in Common Guillemots Uria aalge at two colonies during a period of poor food availability. Seabird 24: 83-89
Ashbrook, K., Wanless, S., Harris, M.P., & Hamer, K.C. (2010). Impacts of poor food availability on positive density-dependence in a highly colonial seabird. Proceedings of the Royal Society Biological Sciences: B 277: 2355-2360
Ashbrook, K., Wanless, S., Harris, M.P., & Hamer, K.C. (2008). Hitting the buffers: conspecific aggression undermines benefits of colonial breeding under adverse conditions. Biology Letters 4: 630-633