My work is in evidence-based conservation, which focuses on summarising and disseminating scientific evidence about the effects of conservation interventions for habitats and species. The aim of the Conservation Evidence project is to provide accessible information to enhance decision making for more effective conservation management. I produced the synopsis of global evidence for the effects of conservation interventions for amphibians and contributed to the Farmland Conservation synopsis. I now oversee the production of all new synopses of evidence. These are available as a searchable database, downloadable pdfs and as books on the Conservation Evidence website. Summarized evidence is assessed by experts and published in 'What Works in Conservation'. I have also completed a systematic review investigating the effectiveness of predator control for enhancing bird populations. Previously my research focussed on population monitoring and ecological studies relating to conservation issues and resulting in the development of management strategies for declining and endangered species, particularly mammals. My work included managing a Darwin Initiative project Capacity building in mammal management for Western Cape nature reserves. I have also worked as a Senior Ecological Consultant in the UK. I completed my doctorate and undergraduate degree at the University of Bristol and a Masters degree in Applied Ecology and Conservation at the University of East Anglia.

McCormack, C.G., Born, W., Irvine, P.J., Achterberg, E.P., Amano, T., Ardron, J., Foster, P.N., Gattuso, J-P., Hawkins, S.J., Hendy, E., Kissling, W.D., Lluch-Cota, S.E., Murphy, E.J., Ostle, N., Owens, N.J.P., Perry, R.I., P?rtner, H.O., Scholes, R.J., Schurr, F.M., Schweiger, O., Settele, J., Smith, R.K., Smith, S., Thompson, J., Tittensor, D.P., van Kleunen, M., Vivian, C., Vohland, K., Warren, R., Watkinson, A.R., Widdicombe, S., Williamson, P., Woods, E., Blackstock, J.J. & Sutherland, W.J. (2016). Key impacts of climate engineering on biodiversity and ecosystems, with priorities for future research. Journal of Integrative Environmental Sciences, DOI: 10.1080/1943815X.2016.1159578 Aldridge, D.C., Aldridge, S.L., Mead, A., Scales, H., Smith, R.K., Zieritz, A. & Sutherland, W.J. (2015) Control of freshwater invasive species: global evidence for the effects of selected interventions. University of Cambridge, UK. Sutherland, W.J., Dicks, L.V., Ockendon, N., and Smith, R.K. (2015) What Works in Conservation. Cambridge, UK: Open Book Publishers. http://dx.doi. org/10.11647/OBP.0060 Dicks, L.V., Hodge, I., Randall, N., Scharlemann, J.P.W., Siriwardena, G.M., Smith, H.G., Smith, R.K. & Sutherland, W.J. (2014) A transparent process for ‘evidence-informed’ policy making. Conservation Letters, 7, 119-125. Smith, R.K. & Sutherland, W.J. (2014) Amphibian Conservation: Global evidence for the effects of interventions. Pelagic Publishing, Exeter. 279 pp. http://conservationevidence.com/ Smith R.K., Dicks L.V., Mitchell R. & Sutherland W.J. (2014) Comparative effectiveness research: the missing link in conservation. Conservation Evidence, 11, 2-6. Sutherland, W.J., Aveling, R., Brooks, T., Clout, M., Dicks, L.V., Fellman, L., Fleishman, E., Gibbons, D.W., Keim, B., Lickorish, F., Monk, K.A., Mortimer, D., Peck, L.S., Pretty, J., Rockstr?m, J., Rodriguez, J.P., Smith, R.K., Spalding, M.D., Tonneijck, F.H. & Watkinson, A.R. (2014) Horizon Scan of Global Conservation Issues for 2014. Trends in Ecology and Evolution, 29,15-22. Dicks, L. V., Ashpole, J.E., D?nhardt, J., James, K., J?nsson, A., Randall, N., Showler, D. A., Smith, R. K., Turpie, S., Williams, D. & Sutherland, W. J. (2013) Farmland Conservation: Evidence for the effects of interventions in northern Europe. Pelagic Publishing, Exeter. 504 pp. http://conservationevidence.com/ Smith, R.K., Pullin, A.S., Stewart, G.B. and Sutherland, W.J. (2011) Is nest predator exclusion an effective strategy for enhancing bird populations? Biological Conservation, 144,1–10. Smith, R.K., Ryan, E., Morley, E. and Hill, R.A. (2011) Resolving management conflicts: could agricultural land provide the answer for an endangered species in a habitat classified as a World Heritage Site? Environmental Conservation, 38, 325-333. Smith, R.K., Pullin, A.S., Stewart, G.B. and Sutherland, W.J. (2010) The effectiveness of predator removal for enhancing bird populations: a systematic review. Conservation Biology, 24, 820-829. Smith, R.K., Pullin, A.S., Stewart, G.B. and Sutherland, W.J. (2009) Is Predator Control an Effective Strategy for Enhancing Bird Populations? Systematic Review No. 38, http://www.environmentalevidence.org/Library.htm Smith, R.K., Marais, A., Chadwick, P., Lloyd, P.H. and Hill, R.A. (2008) Monitoring and management of the endangered Cape mountain zebra Equus zebra zebra in the Western Cape, South Africa. African Journal of Ecology, 46, 207-213. Jennings, N.V., Smith, R.K., Hackl?nder, K., Harris, S. and White, P.C.L. (2006) Variation in demography, condition, and dietary quality of hares Lepus europaeus from high-density and low-density populations. Wildlife Biology, 12, 179-190. Smith, R.K., Jennings, N.V. and Harris, S. (2005) A quantitative analysis of the abundance and demography of European hares Lepus europaeus in relation to habitat type, intensity of agriculture and climate. Mammal Review, 35, 1-24. Smith R.K., Jennings, N.V., Tataruch, F., Hackl?nder, K. and Harris, S. (2005) Vegetation quality and habitat selection by European hares Lepus europaeus in a pastural landscape. Acta Theriologica, 50, 391-404. Smith, R.K., Jennings, N.V., Robinson, A. and Harris, S. (2004) Conservation of European hares Lepus europaeus in Britain: is increasing habitat heterogeneity in farmland the answer? Journal of Applied Ecology, 41, 1092-1102. Clutton-Brock, T.H., Brotherton, P.N.M., Smith, R., McIlrath, G.M., Kansky, R., Gaynor, D., O'Riain, M.J. and Skinner, J.D. (1998) Infanticide and expulsion of females in a cooperative mammal. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, Series B Biological Sciences, 265, 2291-2295.