Today, the British Ecological Society (BES) announces the winners of its annual awards and prizes, recognising 11 distinguished ecologists whose work has benefited the scientific community and society in general.
Professor Ben Sheldon has been awarded honorary membership, the highest honour given by the society. The award recognises his exceptional contribution to the generation, communication and promotion of ecological knowledge and solutions at an international level.
Ben is a field biologist with broad interests in evolution, ecology and behaviour, with a particular focus on understanding the causes and consequences of individual-level variation, and how these interact with environmental change. His empirical work often uses wild bird populations as a model, particularly exploiting insights drawn from long-term population studies such as that of the great tit in Wytham Woods, but also seeking to organisms in wider ecological contexts.
On receiving the award, Ben says:
“I’m humbled by this award. The BES has been a core part of my life as a scientist for four decades. Beginning with reading key papers in BES journals as a student and fledgling researcher, graduating to publishing my own papers there, I then spent a rewarding five years as Editor of Journal of Animal Ecology. Attending the annual meetings is always a highlight, and I’ve enjoyed introducing many students and postdocs to this vibrant and effective society.”
On what excites him in the world of ecology today, he adds:
“I’m excited to see how much louder and more effective the voices of early career ecologists are now, than they were, for developing new ideas, and new ways of working. It feels like the future of subject is in safe hands, provided those of us who’ve been around for longer are happy to cede ground to them."
To read more about the 2025 awards from the British Ecological Society, visit: https://www.britishecologicalsociety.org/content/announcing-the-2025-bes-award-winners/
