I am a postgraduate researcher interested in linking social and ecological sciences to improve marine resource management. I graduated from the University of York with a BSc in Biology and pursued my education at the same University with an MRes in Ecology and Environmental Management. Having done an MRes project on the perceptions of fishermen towards MPAs in the Philippines, I realised I wanted to develop my research further and undertake a PHD. I recently was awarded with an ESRC/NERC Interdisciplinary Research Studentship to study at the University of East Anglia.

Research interests

My current research focuses on the use of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the Philippines. Whilst community support is vital for the implementation and maintenance of an efficient MPA, the majority of these reserves in the Philippines are thought to be ineffective. The proposed research will seek to integrate social and natural science data and theory to understand what factors influence community support towards  MPAs in the Philippines. It may then become possible to prioritise areas that are more welcoming of these conservation strategies and help determine if MPAs are appropriate for a given area. This will be essential if we are to implement a network of efficient and sustainable MPAs.

Research Groups

Livelihoods and Environmental Change

Supervisors

Tim Daw, William Cheung and Katrina Brown 
 

Publications

T.Chaigneau, A. Ahrends, J. Argent, N. Riddihiraska and R. Marchant (2009) Moist lower montane rainforest classification: a case study from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda. Journal of African Ecology (In Press). 

Conference Presentations

‘Comparing the perceptions of fishermen towards MPAs and the status of their adjacent coral reefs between coastal communities in the Philippines’ (T. Chaigneau, S. Harding, J.W. Bochove, D. Navarrete and P. Raines).  Presented at Reef Conservation UK (RCUK), Zoological Society London, 2008 
 

Curriculum Vitae

Click here to download Tomas' CV.