Professor Richard Griffiths has received the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) Marsh Award for Conservation Biology. Presented annually since 1991, the award recognises individuals for ‘contributions of fundamental science and its application to the conservation of animal species and habitats’.
In particular, ZSL praised Professor Griffiths for the huge breadth and depth of his research and policy outputs covering numerous areas of conservation, ranging from habitat loss and infectious diseases, to reintroduction, invasive species and the amphibian trade. They also recognised that numerous graduates supervised by Professor Griffiths at DICE have themselves become integral members of leading amphibian and reptile conservation organisations across the world.
Professor Griffiths has worked at the University of Kent for more than 20 years and served as the director of DICE between 2013 and 2015. He also serves on the Executive Committee of the World Congress of Herpetology and is President of the British Herpetological Society.
Professor Griffiths was presented with his award on 20 June at a ceremony at the Zoological Society of London. The citation for his award was read by Professor Geoff Boxshall FRS, ZSL’s Secretary. The full news report from ZSL can be read here.