Aurelie Hector

My homeland of Mauritius, a small island state, is a tale of two halves when it comes to our complex relationship with nature. On the one hand we have less than 2% of our native forest remaining and the persistent loss of endemic fauna and flora. On the other hand, we have some of the most spectacular examples of conservation success, with species such as the pink pigeon being brought back from the brink of extinction. Growing up aware of these contrasts and the misinformation that surrounds them I pursued a career in conservation. Eight years on from graduating, with extensive experience as a conservation practitioner under my belt, I can now see that communicating the value of our biodiversity and the threats it is facing is one of the most important tools we have to ensure its protection, but also a major gap in my country.

I would love to do a masters degree in science communication, this will expand my abilities and be more confident in my communication, but most importantly propel myself to make a start on my dream to setup a mobile nature classroom that educates the next generation of Mauritians