Andy Houldcroft is a quantitative ecologist and conservation scientist working at the interface between conservation, technology and data science. His research seeks to develop and apply novel methods to monitor threatened species, answer pressing ecological questions, and promote evidence-based conservation action.

Based in Cornwall, he is currently a doctoral researcher with the Cantanhez Chimpanzee Project, embedded in the Centre for Ecology and Conservation and Centre for Environmental Intelligence at the University of Exeter. Funded by the UKRI Centre for Doctoral Training in Environmental Intelligence and Re:wild Primate Action Fund, this PhD aims to explore the use of data fusion models to improve how we monitor highly threatened species. Focusing on the western chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes verus) as a critically endangered case study species, this research involves extensive fieldwork to Cantanhez National Park in Guinea-Bissau, West Africa to deploy camera traps and bioacoustic sensors in direct collaboration with the national Institute of Biodiversity and Protected Areas.

Andy has worked around the globe to build expertise in statistics, conservation technology, and artificial intelligence. As a Research Assistant at Estación Biológica de Doñana in Spain, he deployed camera traps to monitor ungulate herbivory and conducted habitat classification using aerial imagery. Prior to this, he was a Data Coordinator for the Perhentian Turtle Project in Malaysia, managing and analysing a large sightings dataset spanning eight years.

He holds a MSc with Distinction in Conservation and Biodiversity from the University of Exeter and a BSc (Hons) in Biology from the University of York. After graduating valedictorian (highest performing student) from his MSc, he was awarded a School Commendation, Dean's commendation, and a Postgraduate Primatology Recognition Award from the Primate Society of Great Britain.

For further information or to discuss collaboration and research opportunities, please do not hesitate to get in touch.