COMMITTEE
Chair
Rosie Wool
The University of Sheffield
Hello, I’m Rosie, your chair this year! I’m based at University of Sheffield, and my project centres on tropical rainforest restoration in Borneo. I specifically focus on a type of restoration called climber cutting, and I explore how this method affects various types of biodiversity including tree performance and faunal diversity. When I’m not doing this, I love being creative in one way or another, getting into nature, sifting through charity shops, and cooking veggie food.
ACCE 2023 cohort
Vice-Chair
Holly Green
The University of Sheffield
Hi, I’m Holly and I’m co-vice chair on the committee. I study how conservation action reduces the extinction risk of the world’s birds by looking at the ‘conservation action gap’ - the difference between proposed conservation actions and those carried out. I love getting out into nature for a walk with my camera, exploring new worlds through books and video games, and being creative with things like crafts and cooking.
ACCE 2024 Cohort
Vice-Chair
Sophia Cunningham
The University of Sheffield
Hi, I’m Sophia and I’m co-vice chair on this year’s committee. My research explores the species-specific functioning of urban trees under future climate change. I aim to identify the most resilient and vulnerable urban tree species using plant physiology, remote sensing and modelling. When I’m not researching or climbing up trees, you can find me roller skating, gardening, crafting, or out in nature - hiking or admiring plants.
ACCE 2024 Cohort
Secretary
Kira Crabtree
University of York
Hi, I’m Kira (but everyone calls me Ki!) and I’m the secretary of this year’s conference committee. I’m a bit of an ACCE rogue, as I study how the anatomy of the head in humans, our fossil ancestors, and our great ape cousins has been constrained or controlled along evolutionary time scales by differences in locomotion between species. Outside of my research, I’m a keen triathlete so I spend most of my time swimming, cycling, and running, and as a veteran of the Metal scene in Leeds I spend what is left of my free time out watching live music.
ACCE 2023 cohort
Treasurer
Sara Marinoni
University of York
My name is Sara, and I am the treasurer for the ACCE '25 Conference. In 2024, I traded the windswept shores of Orkney for York to begin my research on the agriculture of prehistoric pile-dwelling communities in the Alps. My work investigates how subsistence strategies in NE Italy evolved in response to climate deterioration during the Bronze Age. Outside of academia, I enjoy learning new fibre crafts, exploring archaeological landscapes, and taking part in living history outreach as a reenactor.
ACCE 2024 cohort
Logistics
Nina Overtoom
University of York
Hi, I am Nina. I study the impacts of climate change on peatland’s carbon cycling, specifically the interactions between warming and drought. I focus on understanding the plant-soil processes underlying changes in carbon fluxes under climate change. The research is based on the long-term experiment Cors Fochno in Wales. When I am not researching peat, I like to go hiking, climbing and camping or spend time in my vegetable garden.
ACCE 2023 Cohort
Content / Technical Coordinator
Rafaela Stagiopoulou
University of Liverpool
Hi, I am Rafaela and I am the content coordinator for this year’s conference. When November approaches, I will be the person to kindly remind you to submit your PowerPoint presentations on time. I study evolutionary adaptation to climate change in grassland plants, specifically exploring how a very common yet climate responsive species (Festuca ovina) adapts to climate change on a genetic and ecological level. Besides enjoying coffee at cozy local cafes, I love diving into a good story, whether through video games, board games, or a great book or movie.
r.stagiopoulou@liverpool.ac.uk
ACCE 2024 cohort
Website Designer
Will Leaning
The University of Sheffield
Hello! I'm Will, your website designer and Sheffield local. My research looks into urban tree mortality and understanding the dynamics between tree health and the environment, as well as how we can use urban tree monitoring to develop community forestry strategies for climate resilient urban forests. True to my Sheffield heritage I spend most of my time climbing, but also enjoy ultra-running, slacklining, and live metal gigs (the heavier the better!).
ACCE 2024 cohort