Yesterday was my last day of employment at the University of Northampton, I have stepped down from my professorship to work independently. However I will be staying in touch as a Visiting Professor to complete some projects, supervise my remaining postgraduate researchers, and tidy up the last bits of our REF submission.
It’s been quite a journey over the last 25 years from Nene College > University College Northampton > University of Northampton. I’m proud to have played a part in its development and to have taught some great students along the way. I’ve also made some amazing friends and worked with incredible, talented colleagues. I will miss all of that, but it was time to move on.
So, what of the future? From today I am self-employed as a consultant scientist and writer, focusing on the conservation of pollinators and their plants in our rapidly changing world. No amount of pandemics, Brexits, and American elections can hide the fact that we are having a devastating effect on the nature we rely on to put food on our plates and air in our lungs. The rest of my career is going to be focused on working with individuals and organisations to help to reduce our impact and restore nature.
My philosophy for this is to use the science that I have spent more than 30 years researching and developing, and apply it to the conservation of pollinators and their interactions with plants. At the same time I will continue to take a pragmatic and down to earth approach to thinking about the science that I publish from the perspective of the knowledge and understanding that conservation professionals require to do their work. Some of this is detailed in my book Pollinators & Pollination: Nature and Society (which I hope will be in the shops before Christmas!) but by no means all of it.
Over the next couple of weeks the format of this website will change as I develop it to become more of a shop window for the work I do and the services that I offer. Watch this space!
Prof. Jeff Ollerton - ecological scientist and author 
Wow! Congratulations and best wishes for another highly successful career/endeavour!
Thank you, I appreciate that!
Hey Jeff! What an exciting new venture for you. It will be rewarding to you, and to us (pollinator conservationists and ecologists), as well. Looking forward to your updates. Carrie McLaughlin, Texas Pollinator PowWow coordinator
Thanks Carrie 🙂
Best wishes in your new venture
Thank you!
Good luck in your new endeavour!
Thank you!
The very best of luck, Jeff, with this great new direction. I look forward to watching your website develop and reading more!
Thanks Philip, I think so too.
Best of luck!
Thank you 🙂
Good luck Jeff
Thank you Simon!
Jeff, I have learn a lot from you. Well done.
Hi Jeff – congratulations on taking the plunge to plough your own furrow – it’ll be successful and informative, I’m sure. All the very best – and I look forward to following you with your new developments et al … take care and stay safe … with thoughts – Hilary
Thank you Hilary, that’s much appreciated.
That sounds like a great move – the best of luck to you. Nature will benefit even more now!
Thanks Mike!
A bold move, Jeff: Just what the World needs right now!
The very best of luck to you in your new venture/s. (y) (y)
Thank you! Bold….reckless…..? We’ll see 🙂
Best of luck with the career change, hope you keep posting as I really enjoy reading.
Thanks, I will do my best, time permitting!
Congratulations Jeff! I was planning on contacting you this week about environmental management and the Northampton University campus, after we met at the LNP pre-lockdown – but I think this might mean I need to contact one of your collaegues! All the best for your new ventures Jeff!
Thanks Emily. Drop me an email and I will put you in touch with someone.
Best wishes for your new endeavour! 😊
Thank you!
You are welcome 😊