Helen Roy

My research focuses on the effects of environmental change on insect populations and communities.

I am particularly interested in the dynamics of invasive non-native species and their effects on native biodiversity. I am the chair of a COST Action ALIEN Challenge which involves 31 countries in ensuring a fair exchange of high quality and reliable data and information on invasive non-native species. I lead a project to produce a comprehensive information portal on non-native species in Great Britain. Additionally I have the role of managing updates to the DAISIE (Delivering Alien Invasive Species Inventories for Europe) database.

I also lead a European study group within the International Organisation for Biological Control on the Risks and Benefits of Exotic Biological Control Agents which uses the harlequin ladybird (Harmonia axyridis) as a model species.

I coordinate the UK Ladybird Survey and am using the large-scale and long-term coccinellidae datasets (distribution and abundance) to understand and predict the effects of the arrival of the non-native harlequin ladybird on native species.

My research has been selected for the 2009 Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition, Moscow Science Festival in 2010 and BBC Gardeners' World Live in 2011, 2012 and 2013. I have a passion for science communication and citizen science. I wasawarded the ZSL Silver Medal forcontributions to the understanding and appreciation of zoology.