Deepa Senapathi is an Associate Professor of Applied Ecology and Head of Department of Sustainable Land Management at the University of Reading. Her research focusses on the impacts of environmental change on biodiversity and ecosystem services. She has worked in both tropical and temperate systems and assessed the effects of climate change and land-use change on avian populations and insect pollinator communities. She is also experienced in the science-policy interface having worked as a knowledge exchange fellow with different stakeholder communities including policy makers, non-government organisations, delivery agencies and land managers with a view towards enhancing land management for biodiversity conservation and improving ecosystem services. More recently she has begun to explore ecological intensification within small holder communities to enhance biodiversity and improve livelihoods.
Deepa grew up in Chennai, India , having been taken to church the day she was born and growing up in a High Anglican tradition at St. Matthias’ church there. She currently worships at Greyfriars church in Reading, UK. Her work and scientific career in ecology and conservation is rooted in the deep belief that this is the purpose driven life that God has called her to. From moving across continents to working with biodiversity conservation and farming communities in less privileged backgrounds, she feels a strong sense that God’s presence goes before her in every path she treads.
