The Conservation Leadership Lecture (CLL) series for the 2024-25 academic year concluded with an insightful presentation by Mark Infield, a distinguished conservation practitioner with more than 30 years of experience across Africa, Asia and Europe.
The lecture, hosted at Darwin College, provided Masters in Conservation Leadership students with valuable perspectives on protected area management, community engagement, and the intersection of cultural values with conservation practices—themes that have defined Infield's extensive career. Infield also reflected on the role of luck and privilege in his career, and how his understanding of these factors has shifted through time, particularly in the context of current efforts to decolonise conservation.
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Drawing from his experiences in Uganda, where he spent significant time working with communities around Lake Mburo National Park, Infield shared personal reflections on the evolution of his thinking about conservation approaches and the importance of understanding local perspectives. His lecture was inspired by and built upon the key themes from his recent book "Beautiful Beasts, Beautiful Lands" (Whittles Publishing, 2024), which explores how cultural values and connections to place influence conservation outcomes, complementing the programme's academic coursework with real-world insights.
"Mark's lecture provided a fitting conclusion to this year's CLL series, offering our students a thoughtful reflection on how conservation approaches have evolved over time and the importance of considering cultural dimensions in our work," said Dr. Chris Sandbrook, Director of the Masters in Conservation Leadership.
Following the formal lecture, students engaged in a dynamic question and answer session before continuing discussions over dinner at Darwin College. In keeping with tradition, conversations extended into the evening at the college bar, where students, alumni, and guests had the opportunity for more informal exchanges with the speaker.
As this year's cohort prepares for their placement presentations, marking the conclusion of their taught programme, Infield's reflections on the personal and professional aspects of conservation leadership provided timely inspiration and food for thought.
The Conservation Leadership Lecture series remains a cornerstone of the Masters programme, bringing distinguished practitioners to Cambridge to share their experiences and insights with the next generation of conservation leaders.