Alicia Russo

Despite her city upbringing just outside of Washington, D.C., in the USA, Alicia’s interest in wildlife and wild spaces was clear from a young age. She sought opportunities to be outside and ultimately pursued studies that would bring her closer to nature. She graduated in 2015 with a BSc in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Tulane University in New Orleans, during which she participated in a study abroad program in South Africa, which focused on African ecology and conservation, through Duke University and the Organization of Tropical Studies. Throughout her studies, she participated in research projects spanning various subjects, such as spatial and temporal variation in waterbird foraging activities, ecological niche differentiation in orb-weaving spiders, and the use of a bee threat to mitigate human–elephant conflict.

Her passion for connecting people with nature drew her to wildlife filmmaking and journalism. She has been working in this field for the last 10 years, with organisations such as National Geographic Channel and Magazine, the British Broadcasting Corporation, and Wildstar Films Ltd. She has spent extensive time in the field covering wildlife stories across Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Djibouti, and the USA. Throughout this work, she has collaborated closely with researchers, which has continued to nurture her interest in biology and conservation. Each story led to questions that fuelled her curiosity and served as a constant reminder that we still have so much to learn about this planet.

Alicia is now hoping to combine her skills in storytelling and communication and her passion for conservation to protect and preserve wildlife and wild spaces by using solutions that suit both people and wildlife. The Conservation Biology MSc programme is an incredible opportunity to immerse herself in the field, develop the necessary skills and learn from an array of experienced researchers.

When she isn’t working, you can find Alicia outside on a hike or a run or at the beach, making pasta with friends, volunteering at a dog rescue facility, trying out a new coffee shop, or reading.