David Macdonald is a preeminent conservation scientist and globally recognized leader in wildlife conservation research. He holds the position of Professor of Wildlife Conservation at the University of Oxford and serves as the Founding Director of the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU), which he established in 1986. Macdonald maintains a Senior Research Fellowship at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford, where his appointment as Fellow in Wildlife Research marked the first university-based research position dedicated to biological conservation. His academic journey began at Oxford University, where he earned his DPhil and later his DSc, establishing the foundation for his decades-long commitment to bridging scientific research with practical conservation solutions. Macdonald's leadership extends beyond academia as he serves in strategic roles including Chairman of OXGAV's Joint Steering Committee, guiding the world's first Conservation Venture Studio.
Professor Macdonald's research has profoundly influenced conservation science through his interdisciplinary approach that integrates behavioral ecology with environmental economics and social sciences to address complex human-wildlife conflicts. His work spans diverse taxa from mammals to moths, with particular expertise in Carnivora, especially Felidae, where his research on Scottish wildcats, lions, tigers, and Bornean felids has provided critical insights into hybridization, human-wildlife conflict, and the impacts of land use changes. The WildCRU under his direction has produced approximately 2000 peer-reviewed papers and book chapters, with Macdonald's own H-Index reaching 128, demonstrating the substantial impact of his scientific contributions. His development of the ConnectingLandscapes Decision Support System represents a significant innovation in land-use planning that effectively bridges biodiversity conservation with economic development considerations. Macdonald's research methodology emphasizes community engagement, building partnerships with remote communities across Africa, Asia, and South America to ensure conservation solutions benefit both people and wildlife.
Beyond his research, Macdonald has shaped conservation policy through influential advisory roles including previous chairmanships of the Darwin Advisory Committee and Natural England's Science Advisory Committee, where his scientific expertise directly informed governmental conservation strategies. He has trained over 160 doctoral students at Oxford and established the Recanati-Kaplan Centre's Postgraduate Diploma in International Wildlife Conservation Practice, which has received the Queen's Award for Higher Education and provided specialized training for conservationists from developing countries. Macdonald's leadership extends to numerous conservation organizations where he serves as Chair of Action for Conservation, Trustee of Lion Landscapes, and board member of Chester Zoo, demonstrating his commitment to translating scientific knowledge into effective conservation action. His most recent initiative as inaugural Chairman of OXGAV positions him at the forefront of developing innovative solutions to global challenges including biodiversity loss, climate change, and food security through the commercialization of conservation technologies.
