Dr Chris Harvey

I have been an academic at Canterbury Christ Church University since 2012, when I joined as a Lecturer in Biology to motivate and support students with my enthusiasm and passion for natural science. I completed a PhD in Ecology at the National University of Ireland, Maynooth, and have a degree in Biology form the Eberhardt Karls University in Tuebingen, Germany.

Currently I'm the Section Director for Natural and Applied Sciences where I lead the Section in delivering excellent teaching and research and supporting students on our courses. Previously, I was the School Director for Learning and Teaching Environment. My goal is to help and encourage colleagues and students in creating a supportive, inclusive and exciting environment for learning and research in the natural sciences.

As a Principal Lecturer, my main focus is teaching and supporting students. I have taught a wide range of modules on a variety courses of courses at all levels, from Foundation Year to postgraduate MSc and PhD provision. This has included modules on the diversity of life, evolution, molecular biology, bioinformatics, physiology and even climate change. Currently I mainly teach modules on statistics and data analysis, biology and ecology.

I also lead the Honours Project module for our final year students, where I support them in developing and carrying out a wide range of fascinating independent research. I have acted as an external reviewer for course validations and have contributed to numerous learning and teaching initiatives in the University, all aimed at enhancing the way we teach and support students and carry out research. 

My current research interests include population genetics and biological control of invertebrate pests. I have supervised a PhD student studying the rare freshwater snail Segmentina nitida (the Shining Ramshorn Snail).

I have also led several collaborations with external partners, including local horticultural growers and the Kent Wildlife Trust in connection with 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 diverse research projects, including on projects on urban green spaces and biodiversity.

In addition, I have collaborated with colleagues from Health, Education and library services to develop an innovate learning support tool, the Traffic Lights Tool.  

I have represented the Section of Natural and Applied Sciences in collaborative meetings with Pfizer, NIAB/EMR and the Kent Wildlife Trust, among others. I have acted as an external reviewer for validation events at other universities and have facilitated various collaborative industry projects led by colleagues in our Section. rowers in the horticultural sector in Kent.