Dr Iain A Darbyshire

I am responsible for developing research projects on the taxonomy, distribution and conservation of African plant species. My taxonomic research focuses upon the Acanthaceae (Acanthus and shrimp plant) family in Africa and Madagascar, with a particular interest in the species-rich genus Barleria. I also have a research interest in the application of plant species data, in particular herbarium collections-based research, to conservation planning and management. On this theme, I am currently co-ordinating Kew’s exciting new cross-departmental programme of work on Tropical Important Plant Areas (TIPAs). Working with our in-country partners, we will identify the most important sites for plant conservation on a national scale and will work to ensure that these findings are incorporated into policy development on conservation and land-use planning. As part of this work, we will conduct extensive field surveys, focusing on under-collected regions and on potential TIPAs for which contemporary data are lacking.

• PhD, University of Wales, Aberystwyth, 2001
• BSc (Hons) Geography, University of Wales, Aberystwyth, 1997

• Associate member, IUCN-SSC East African Plant Red List Authority
• Co-chair, IUCN-SSC Southern African Plant Specialist Group
• Associate editor, Kew Bulletin