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MESM 2026

Pronouns: he/him

Bio
Olly Johnson is passionate about habitat and species restoration. His interests within these topics are broad but include wildlife corridors, species reintroductions, and scientific communication. He acknowledges the challenges that can arise between people and wildlife when reintroducing species, but believes that education and access to natural spaces can help to reduce this potential conflict. Before attending Bren, he lived in London, U.K., where he worked for the World Wildlife Fund for three years in marketing and communications. This position gave him experience in leading fundraising efforts and delivering awareness-raising campaigns. Alongside his professional work, Olly honed his skills in wildlife photography and filmmaking, recognizing the importance of communication in the sector.

In 2018, he graduated from the University of Exeter, U.K. with a Bachelor's degree in Geography where he conducted research for his dissertation on the debate of reintroducing wolves in Scotland. Prior to this, Olly gained his first experience in wildlife conservation with the Namibian Dolphin Project. He spent one month in Walvis Bay, Namibia, conducting marine surveys and gaining experience in photo identification. At Bren, he plans to gain the necessary skills to assess and implement viable restoration opportunities in marine and terrestrial environments.