A specialist in biodiversity conservation with 40 years experience, with an emphasis on insect conservation.
CURRENT RATINGS (as of 1 February 2024)
National Research Foundation rating = A
Google Scholar H-Index = 72; Citations = 20 030COMPETITIVE SCHOLARSHIPS, AWARDS etc.: Science Research Council Studentship, October 1971 - October 1974; 1973 Ministère de L'Education Nationale, France; 1973 Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, France; 1976 British Council Young Research Workers Interchange Award; 1977 British Council Award to Madrid University, Spain; 2002 National Science and Technology Forum, Science and Technology Award Finalist; 2002 University of Natal award to individual researchers for ‘Excellence in Research’; 2002 University of Natal award to Council Approved Research Centres and Units (Invertebrate Conservation Research Centre) for ‘Excellence in Research’; 2006 & 2010 Stellenbosch University Rector’s Award for Research Excellence; 2011 Distinguished Scientist Award, Global Conference of Entomology; 2012 Stellenbosch University Rector’s Award for General Performance; 2013 Stellenbosch University among Top 25 Research Producers and among top 25 Research Supervisors; 2014 Stellenbosch University Rector’s Award for General Performance. 2014 Vice-Rector’s awards for i) high publication units, ii) high publication number, ii) high PhD output.
NSTF-GreenMatter Finalist 2016; NSTF-South32 Winner 2016. 2016 Vice-Rector’s Award for high output and student graduation); Named a Legend of South African Science by Academy of Science of South Africa 2017; Research Award for Exceptional Achievement, Stellenbosch University 2017; Award for Research Excellence, Stellenbosch University 2018.

MAJOR MEDALS/AWARDS: Senior Captain Scott Medal of the South African Academy for Science and Arts; John Herschel Medal of the Royal Society of South Africa; Gold Medal of the Academy of Science of South Africa; Gold Medal of the South African Academy of Science and Arts; Winner, Team Leader of MENP, NSTF-GreenMatter Award for biodiversity conservation, environmental sustainability and greener economy. IUCN/SSC Chair’s Citation of Excellence; Chancellor’s Award (Stellenbosch University, for sustained career contribution to research/teaching/community interaction); Marsh Award of the Royal Entomological Society for outstanding and exemplary lifetime contribution in Insect Conservation.

PRESTIGIOUS FELLOWSHIPS: Fellow of the University of KwaZulu-Natal; Fellow of the Royal Society of South Africa; Member of the Academy of Science of South Africa

RECENT INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEES: Steering Committee, World Conservation Union (IUCN) / Species Survival Commission (< 2014); Chair: IUCN/SSC Invertebrate Conservation Sub-Committee (<2014); President of International Orthopterists’ Society (< 2016); Xerces Society (Scientific advisor); Patron of Journal of Insect Conservation.

EDITORIAL BOARDS OF INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC JOURNALS: Biodiversity and Conservation (Associate Editor; 1992-2008); Conservation Biology (Assigning Editor; 2000-2010); Journal of Insect Conservation (Associate Editor); Odonatologica (Board Member); Wings (Counselor); Journal of Orthoptera Research (Associate Editor); Odonatologica (Editorial Board) Cambridge University Press (conservation books; Editorial Board Member and Advisor); Wiley-Blackwell (books; Editorial Board Member and Advisor); Oxford University Press (books; Editorial Board Member and Advisor). Series Editor: Contemporary Conservation Science Series (Wiley-Blackwell); Nature Conservation (Pensoft)

EXPERIENCE: 1974 - 1977 Inner London Education Authority Research Fellow in Entomology at Sir John Cass College, London; 1977 - 1978 Chief Entomologist Perifleur, England.;1978 - 1979 Professor Visitante in Entomology, Department de Fitossanidade, Escola Superior de Agricultura de Lavras, Brazil.; 1979 - 1982 Senior Professional Officer, Citrus & Subtropical Fruit Research Institute, Nelspruit, South Africa. 1982 - 1986 Senior Research Entomologist, Outspan Citrus Centre, Nelspruit, South Africa. 1987 – 2002; Professor (Chair) of Entomology, School of Botany and Zoology, University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg and Director of the Invertebrate Conservation Research Centre. Other past activities: Consultant to FAO of United Nations. Member of Board of Faculties of Science and Agriculture. Member of Senate. Member of Ukhahlamba Management Committee. Member of the Species Survival Commission of the World Conservation Union (Specialist Groups: Sustainable Use of Wild Species, Lepidoptera, Odonata, Alien Invasives and former Chairman of Orthopteroidea). Co-opted Council Member of the International Dragonfly Society. Member of University Planning Committee (re Mission Statement on Environment). Past Chairman of Faculty Publicity Committee. Vice-President of the Entomological Society of southern Africa (1991-1992, 1992-1993). Member of the World Conservation Union Invertebrate Task Force. Various other international conservation activities; January 2003 – June 2014 Professor and Chair, Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Faculty of AgriSciences, Stellenbosch University; Distinguished Professor and Chair, Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Faculty of AgriSciences, Stellenbosch University. July 2014-December 2019 Distinguished Professor and Academic Principal (Validus Cluster), Faculty of AgriSciences, Stellenbosch University. Currently: Emeritus Distinguished Professor, Stellenbosch University.