Julia is generally interested in socio-ecological systems and sustainable resource extraction. She started her PhD project in 2017 with the Environmental Futures Research Institute at Griffith University. She investigated the spatial and social dynamics of the bushmeat trade in savanna systems of Africa.  She is particularly interested in the use of social science theory to inform conservation problems, as well as the use of spatial analyses to investigate extraction levels. Julia is also interested in the use of novel interview techniques for estimating the prevalence of illegal or illicit activities. Her research aimed to inform which interventions used to address bushmeat are best for reaching both conservation and development goals in southern Africa. This project was supervised by Prof. Hamish McCallum and Dr Duan Biggs (both Griffith University) as well as Prof. Kerrie Wilson (UQ).

Before the start of her PhD, Julia completed her Master’s degree in Conservation Biology at the University of Cape Town, investigating the conflict between Blue Cranes and farmers in the Western Cape, South Africa with Prof. Peter Ryan. She has also spend time working with the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation to conserve the endangered Pink Pigeon.

Research theme

Conservation decision making in social-ecological systems

Email: juliavanvelden@gmail.com

Twitter: @juliavanvel

Researchgate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Julia_Van_Velden

Publications

J.L van Velden, A. Koeslag, O. Curtis, T. Gous, & A. Amar. 2017. Negative effect of mite (Knemidokoptes) infections on reproductive output in an African raptor. The Auk: Ornithological Advances, 134 (3): 498-508.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1642/AUK-16-134.1

J.L. van Velden, R. Altwegg, K. Shaw & P.G. Ryan. 2016. Movement patterns and survival estimates of Blue Cranes in the Western Cape. Ostrich: Journal of African Ornithology, 88 (1). http://dx.doi.org/10.2989/00306525.2016.1224782

J.L. van Velden, T. Smith & P.G. Ryan. 2016. Cranes and crops: investigating farmer tolerances towards crop-damage by threatened Blue Cranes (Anthropoides paradiseus) in the Western Cape, South Africa. Environmental Management, 58 (6) 972-983. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-016-0768-1