Professor Brendan Godley (He/Him)

Professor Brendan Godley is a conservation scientist whose research interests encompass biodiversity conservation, with a particular emphasis on marine vertebrates such as turtles, mammals, birds, and sharks. In the recent years, his focus has shifted towards interdisciplinary approaches to conservation, addressing critical issues like bycatch mitigation in fisheries, the impact of ocean plastics, and the design of marine protected areas. His work is undertaken in a highly collaborative way with academic, government and non-governmental organisations and industrial partners, both in the UK and internationally. 

In his educational role, Professor Godley integrates these research approaches into his teaching, emphasising employability skills and providing students with opportunities to engage with a wide range of stakeholders whilst working on real world problems and solutions. He designed, launched and served as Programme Lead for the MSc Marine Vertebrate Ecology and Conservation and MSc Conservation and Biodiversity.

Since 2018, Professor Godley has led the  growth of the ExeterMarine strategy, which in 2022 became one of the University’s inaugural Research Networks, linking over 400 marine researchers from across all faculties and campuses to facilitate and promote marine research, education and impact. 

In 2023, Brendan helped launch the University’s Graduate School of Environment and Sustainability as its founding Director.