Conference Call-Up For Derby Undergraduate
19 May 2011
James Kiddle
James is the only undergraduate student presenting at the conference, whose line-up includes directors and presidents of zoos, lecturers and conservation officers
”Dr Graham Rowe, Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader for Biology.
A University of Derby undergraduate whose research paper has been accepted at a prestigious biology conference will present his work alongside his lecturer and other esteemed professors and researchers in Chester today 19 May.
James Kiddle, 30 from Leek, who is currently in the final year of a BSc (Hons) in Biology has had his research paper accepted to the Society for the History of Natural History symposium taking place at Chester Zoo. He wrote the paper, which examines the history and financing of early British zoos, as part of his final year dissertation.
James said: "I found the subject of Manchester Zoo particularly interesting as it was the first zoo to be run for scientific purposes and not just for entertainment. To complete the research I spent a lot of time in Manchester at the newspaper archives and the records office, which was interesting."
James will present his paper alongside Dr Graham Rowe, Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader for Biology at the University of Derby. Dr Rowe will present a paper on Friday 20 May about Brighton Zoological Gardens, which was open from 1832 to1833.
Dr Rowe said: "James is the only undergraduate student presenting at the conference, whose line-up includes directors and presidents of zoos, lecturers and conservation officers. This is a fantastic achievement. The fact that he has had his paper accepted proves the quality of his work, and I'm confident that it will be well received."
James added: "I feel very privileged to be presenting at the conference. Seeing my name amongst those of directors and academics in the programme is a fantastic feeling."
After presenting in Chester, James will return to Derby to complete his final exams and his biology degree. After graduating he hopes to forge a career in habitat management or ecology.
For more information please contact Press & PR Officer Joanna Colburn on 01332 593004 or 07775 036988, or email j.colburn@derby.ac.uk
