Hagen Metzing O'Neill
My introduction to ecology was marine-based, having worked in a salmon fishery on the north coast of Ireland, coupled with pursuing a BSc in Marine Biology at Newcastle University. After which, I returned to Northern Ireland and worked with the National Trust, primarily engaging in coastal habitat management and education. I returned to academia and graduated from the University of Leeds in MSc Biodiversity and Conservation. This course broadened my research interests, as I researched the effects of power-line ‘right-of-way’ clearances on the feeding ecology of moose (Alces alces) for my dissertation. From this I gained an appreciation of working in isolated conditions in the field for prolonged periods of time, and this experience lead to me to undertake a PhD here at Durham, which involves similar requirements in the field. Given my background, my research interests span over several themes, and this is reflected in my PhD, which encompasses conservation management, ecology, animal behaviour and ecotourism. Specifically, I am studying how tourism-induced disturbance affects the time budgets of red deer (Cervus elaphus), and how this disturbance influences the efficacy of red deer over traditional sheep breeds in promoting biodiverse short sward habitat. My methods involve both direct observations (utilizing thermal imaging equipment) and indirect measures of recording habitat use through mapping deer pellets, tracks and trails. Additionally, I carry out exclusion experiments in the field with the aim of assessing grazing effects on short sward habitat suitable for rare Lepidoptera species.
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Position: PhD Student in the Department of Biosciences
Supervised by: Dr. Philip Stephens, Dr. Sean Twiss, and Dr. Alastair Ward
Membership: ASAB (Association of Animal Behaviour),
BEER (The Behaviour, Ecology and Evolution Research Centre, Durham University)
Contact Details: Department of Biosciences,
Durham University, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE.
Email: h.m.o'neill@durham.ac.uk
Supervised by: Dr. Philip Stephens, Dr. Sean Twiss, and Dr. Alastair Ward
Membership: ASAB (Association of Animal Behaviour),
BEER (The Behaviour, Ecology and Evolution Research Centre, Durham University)
Contact Details: Department of Biosciences,
Durham University, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE.
Email: h.m.o'neill@durham.ac.uk
Education
2010-2011 MSc Biodiversity and Conservation (Distinction), University of Leeds
2005-2008 BSc Marine Biology, Newcastle University
2010-2011 MSc Biodiversity and Conservation (Distinction), University of Leeds
2005-2008 BSc Marine Biology, Newcastle University
Presentations
O’Neill, H.M., Stephens, P., Twiss, S.D. & Ward, A. (2013). Visualizing a disturbance landscape. International Ethological Conference, 4th-8th August, 2013.
O’Neill, H.M., Stephens, P., Twiss, S.D. & Ward, A. (2013). Deer, biodiversity management and ecotourism in the Hebrides: conflict or mutual benefit? Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour, 3rd-5th April, 2013.
O’Neill, H.M., Stephens, P., Twiss, S.D. & Ward, A. (2013). Visualizing a disturbance landscape. International Ethological Conference, 4th-8th August, 2013.
O’Neill, H.M., Stephens, P., Twiss, S.D. & Ward, A. (2013). Deer, biodiversity management and ecotourism in the Hebrides: conflict or mutual benefit? Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour, 3rd-5th April, 2013.
Selected Awards and Fellowships
NERC Student Conference 'Poster Award', 2013
FERA Project Studenship, 2012-2015
NERC PhD Studentship, 2012-2015
NERC Student Conference 'Poster Award', 2013
FERA Project Studenship, 2012-2015
NERC PhD Studentship, 2012-2015
