Professor Robert Francis
Vice Dean (Education & Students), Professor of Urban Ecology & Society
Research interests
- Geography
Biography
Professor Rob Francis completed a BSc (Hons) in Landscape Ecology (1st class) at De Montfort University in 2000, and his PhD in Geography at the University of Birmingham in 2004. He took up a lectureship in Ecology at King’s College London in 2004. Rob’s interdisciplinary research covers urban ecology and biodiversity, urban rivers, biogeomorphology, reconciliation ecology, invasive alien species and the environmental impacts of warfare. He also conducts educational research and scholarship, particularly around assessment and feedback.
Rob has published over 70 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters, and five books. He is Professor of Urban Ecology & Society in the Department of Geography, and Vice Dean (Education & Students) for the Faculty of Social Science and Public Policy.
Research
- Ecohydrology and biogeomorphology
- Urban biodiversity and reconciliation ecology
- Invasive alien species, in particular those found within freshwater and urban ecosystems
- Warfare ecology
- Nature-society interactions
Rob has edited several books, including A Handbook of Global Freshwater Invasive Species (2012), Urban Landscape Ecology: Science, Policy and Practice (2016, with James Millington and Mike Chadwick), The Routledge Handbook of Biosecurity and Invasive Species (2021, with Kezia Barker) and The Routledge Handbook of Landscape Ecology (2021, with James Millington, George Perry and Emily Minor). His textbook, Urban Ecosystems: Understanding the Human Environment (also with Mike Chadwick) was published in 2013.
Teaching
Undergraduate
- 4SSG1013 The Changing Natural Environment II
- 6SSG3079 Urban Ecology
PhD supervision
Rob is interested in supervising PhD projects that focus on aspects of the following:
- Urban ecological patterns and processes, particularly in relation to plant science, reconciliation ecology and invasive species
- River science in an urban context
- Human/nonhuman interactions within cities
Further details
Research
Physical & Environmental Geography research group
Enhancing understanding of processes, drivers and impacts in water, land, atmosphere and ecosystems to address environmental and societal challenges.
King's Water Centre
Researching water, environment and development. Our centre spans the humanities, social, and physical sciences to explore the challenges of water governance from global to local scales.
News
London falcons ate fewer pigeons during lockdowns
The study by King’s researchers suggests that predatory birds in urban spaces are vulnerable to changes in human activities that support prey populations.
Features
A turning point for UK rivers?
Many UK rivers are at threat from poorly performing water companies. Ahead of next week's general election, PROFESSOR MICHAEL CHADWICK and PROFESSOR ROBERT...
Research
Physical & Environmental Geography research group
Enhancing understanding of processes, drivers and impacts in water, land, atmosphere and ecosystems to address environmental and societal challenges.
King's Water Centre
Researching water, environment and development. Our centre spans the humanities, social, and physical sciences to explore the challenges of water governance from global to local scales.
News
London falcons ate fewer pigeons during lockdowns
The study by King’s researchers suggests that predatory birds in urban spaces are vulnerable to changes in human activities that support prey populations.
Features
A turning point for UK rivers?
Many UK rivers are at threat from poorly performing water companies. Ahead of next week's general election, PROFESSOR MICHAEL CHADWICK and PROFESSOR ROBERT...