Prof Ara Monadjem, a biodiversity specialist and newly appointed Head of the Department of Zoology and Entomology at the University of Pretoria (UP), has been awarded the Royal Society Africa Prize for unwavering dedication to African biodiversity research and conservation.

"I feel extremely honoured to have received this prize, which in effect is global recognition for the work I have done (and hope to continue doing in the future) in Africa. I believe that this prize will open doors for me, allowing me to extend the work that I am doing on the ecology of small mammals and their interactions with humans,” Prof Monadjem said.

The Royal Society is a self-governing Fellowship of many of the world’s most distinguished scientists from all areas of science, engineering, and medicine. The Society’s fundamental purpose, as it has been since its foundation in 1660, is to recognise, promote, and support excellence in science and to encourage the development and use of science for the benefit of humanity.

Prof Monadjem’s research focuses on the ecology and conservation of African mammals and birds, with an emphasis on field-based studies whose objectives are to obtain biological and taxonomic insights on rare and threatened species or to understand the ecological roles and ecosystem functions of these species in natural and agricultural landscapes. “Over the past 30 years, I have worked in remote locations across the African continent, including the rainforests of tropical Africa and the savannas of Southern and East Africa, including Madagascar. I also maintain long-term ecological field sites in Eswatini.”

During his academic career, Prof Monadjem has developed long-term and productive collaborations with ecologists in South Africa, Europe and the USA. He is a Courtesy Faculty at the University of Florida, USA. He also sits on the board of directors of Global South Bats, an international network unifying bat biologists, researchers and conservationists – joined by a unified objective to connect and empower bat scientists and enthusiasts in the Global South.

As a researcher, he wants to further enhance our understanding of African savanna and forest ecosystems, leveraging the ecosystem services provided by mammals and birds for their conservation. He also loves to share his enthusiasm for, and knowledge of, Africa’s wildlife with students, colleagues and the general public.