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Dr Chris Harvey

I am the Section Director for the Natural and Applied Sciences and a Senior Lecturer in Biology.

I joined Canterbury Christ Church University in 2012 as a Lecturer in Biology to share my love and enthusiasm for science and, in particular, biology.

Previously, I had completed a PhD in Ecology and the National University of Ireland, Maynooth, and a degree in Biology form the Eberhardt Karls University in Tuebingen, Germany. There's nothing I enjoy more than sharing in the excitement of scientific discovery with students and colleagues. In my current role as Section Director I lead academic colleagues and instructors in delivering high-quality courses across a range of scientific disciplines.

Previously, I have been the School Director for Learning and Teaching Environment and for the past several years I have been the course advocate for the Bioscience course. My goal is to create a supportive, inclusive and exciting environment for learning and research in the life sciences.     

I have taught a wide range of modules on a variety courses of courses (too many to mention!) at all levels, from Foundation Year to postgraduate MSc and PhD provision. Currently I mainly teach modules on statistics and data analysis, biology and ecology.

I also lead the Honours Project module for all of our final year students. I have acted as an external reviewer for course validations and have contributed to numerous learning and teaching initiatives in the University.  

My current research interests include population genetics, specifically of the rare freshwater snail Segmentina nitida (the Shining Ramshorn Snail).

I am also collaborating with Kent Wildlife rust on a project to assess the biodiversity of soils and how it is affected by the release of bison and other grazers as part of the Wilder Blean project.

I also have an interest and background in using insect parasitic nematodes for biological control. I have collaborated with colleagues on a number of research projects. 

Research Projects

  • An analysis of oil company road maps, 1905-2005. Researcher(s): Mr Ian Byrne. Supervisor(s): Dr Dan Donoghue, Dr Alex Kent, Dr Chris Harvey. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • Conservation Agriculture versus Conventional Agriculture: Implications for Soil Health. Researcher(s): Miss Pip Bromley. Supervisor(s): Dr Naomi Rintoul-Hynes, Dr Chris Harvey. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • Doctoral Research Project. Researcher(s): Mr Stuart Harris. Supervisor(s): Dr Chris Harvey, Dr Phil Buckley. [Postgraduate Research Project (past)]
  • Forensic Entomology Literature Review. Researcher(s): Miss Alice Crabb. Supervisor(s): Dr Naomi Rintoul-Hynes, Dr Chris Harvey. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • Maternal effects in Heterorhabditis downesi nematodes.. Researcher(s): Ms Beverley Cooper. Supervisor(s): Dr Chris Harvey, Dr Phil Buckley. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • Slipper Limpet populations around the East Kent Coast. Researcher(s): Mrs Tracy Bailitis. Supervisor(s): Dr Phil Buckley, Dr Chris Harvey. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • The ecology, life cycle, population genetics and habitat of the Shining Ramshorn Snail, Segmentina nitida.. Researcher(s): Dr Christopher Hobbs. Supervisor(s): Dr Chris Harvey, Dr Phil Buckley. [Postgraduate Research Project (past)]
  • The effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on yield, nutritional content and volatile compounds of new commercial strawberry cultivars ‘Malling Allure’ and ‘Malling Champion’. Researcher(s): Miss Holly Chart. Supervisor(s): Dr Naomi Rintoul-Hynes, Dr Chris Harvey. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • The effect of cadmium contamination on the morphology, contaminant accumulation and quality of wildflower pollen. Researcher(s): Miss Lara Shilston. Supervisor(s): Dr Naomi Rintoul-Hynes, Dr Chris Harvey. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • The Impact of Beaver on Aufwuchs communities. Researcher(s): Mr Daniel McCourt. Supervisor(s): Dr Phil Buckley, Dr Chris Harvey. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • Urban Green Space – community-based solutions to climate change mitigation and human health (Climate Action PhD Scholarship). Researcher(s): Ms Amartuya Batbold. Supervisor(s): Dr Naomi Rintoul-Hynes, Dr Chris Harvey. [Postgraduate Research Project]

I am currently collaborating with the Kent Wildlife Trust and have previously supervised a PhD project that involved working with Natural England. I have also previously worked with growers in the horticultural sector in Kent.