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Modelling, Evidence & Policy - Staff List

Professor Aileen Mill

Professor in Modelling, Evidence and Policy

  • Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 5961
  • Personal Website:
  • Address: School of Natural and Environmental Sciences
    缅北禁地
    Room 5.64, Ridley Building
    Claremont Road
    缅北禁地 NE1 7RU
Background

I am a quantitative ecologist interested in the interrelation between scientific research, the available evidence base and decision making and look for opportunities to use modelling approaches to support this. I have built a broad research portfolio around understanding, quantifying, and communicating uncertainty to address questions of national and global policy importance. I am particularly focussed on improving our understanding and management of invasive species and emergent wildlife and human diseases. 

Research

My research career has developed while working alongside government scientists on policy topics which has given me insight into the challenges of evidence-based decision making where data are lacking, resources are low and uncertainty is high. Making the correct decision is often very challenging, especially in systems where there are a great number of unknowns or uncertainty associated. Modelling approaches to inform decision making, such as adaptive management frameworks, exist but we have shown these are not used to their full potential and there is scope to improve our ‘learning by doing’.


Our invasive species management research has developed prioritisation frameworks for species management that has been used in multiple countries, informed national policy on pathway prioritisation and contributed to our understanding of species spread, impacts and management costs. Species invasions continue to increase globally and are among the top five causes of biodiversity loss by the International Panel on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), so these research outputs and tools will contribute to the ability of nations to meet Kumming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework targets on invasion management. Critical to working at the interface between science and implementation is improved communication around data requirements and interpretation of scientific outputs. We integrate our work with that of others in the invasion science community through the IUCN Species Survival Commission Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG). Through partnership working we have developed interactive online tools, integrating empirical evidence and modelling to explore management scenarios to inform decision-making.


I am a fellow of 缅北禁地 Universities Policy Academy (2018), a programme which provides training in policy processes and landscape and am an advocate for greater engagement between academics and local, regional and national policy networks. I am particularly motivated by the integration of scientific research and evidence into policy and have worked with national government agencies (CEFAS, FERA, APHA, Natural England, Natural Resources Wales and Scottish Government). I am an active member of the member of IUCN and serve on a number of advisory committees.


Joint Advisory Committee for 

Scottish Beaver Strategy - Research and Innovation sub group (Chair)

Technical Advisory Group - Uist Wader project (Chair)

Scientific Advisory Committee for  (2018-22)

Scientific Advisory Committee for the


Current Projects

EU LIFE (2021- 2026): Water and Disturbance Environmental Restoration Project

Food Standard Agency (2022-26): Third study of Infectious Intestinal Disease ) in the UK. Modelling food-bourne pathogens

AirSpace (2023-2026) NIHR Radiomics-risk model for larynx cancer

North East Invasive Species Partnership (2025) Strategy development

Recent Projects

IUCN (2024-25) Invasive Alien Species Toollkit for Target 6

Natural England/NatureScot/Natural Resources Wales/ Environment Agency Partnership project 2023-24. Development of a Landscape population model App for beaver translocations.

NatureScot 2021-23: Modelling Beaver Reintroductions and Management

Natural England 2021-22: Landscape Population Models for Dormouse Conservation

BBSRC (2018-2022): Host-pathogen interactions important in the movement of Campylobacter jejuni from the broiler chicken gut to edible tissues (CampAttack)

BBSRC (2017): 

EU LIFE 14 / Heritage Lottery Fund (2015-2020): 

Natural England: 

Defra Darwin Initative (2017): 

 

Modelling Evidence and Policy Research Group

We are a team of scientists with interests in modelling complex biological and socio-ecological systems international experts in the use of scientific evidence to influence policy making and decision making. Please get in touch if you would like to study or collaborate with us


Current Postgraduate Supervision:

  • Amar Rajgor (2023-) NIHR
  • Ruth Wright (2023-) NERC ( IAPETUS DTP) Understanding public awareness, attitudes and perceptions of invasive non-native species and their management.
  • Sari Sari (2023- ) Indonesia’s Ornamental Coral; Mariculture Techniques Improvement and Adaptation to Climate Change 
  • Lizzie Keen (2021- ) NERC (IAPETUS DTP) Impacts and management of Impatiens glandulifera (Himalysan balsam) in ancient woodlands
  • Ruben del la Torre Cerro (2021- ) Unravelling the drivers of coral reproductive phenology and synchrony.
  • Alexander Adams (2024-) NERC (IAPETUS DTP)


Recent PhD Students:

  • Jack Hardman (2025) Leverhulme Trust. Movement Ecology of Vervet Monkeys
  • Adrian Bach (2023) NERC (IAPETUS DTP). Agent-based modelling to improve management strategy evaluation in complex problems of biodiversity conservation.
  • Imogen Cavadino (2023) Royal Horticultural Society. Garden Gastropods – Slug and snail diversity in UK gardens
  • Tina Skinner (2020) 
  • Jess Ward (2020) Modelling Sociality in Carnivores.
  • Olaf Booy (2019) funded by APHA. Predicting the future invasive non-native species in Great Britain – the role of invasion pathways.
  • Jessica Duffill-Telsnig (2019) NERC Case Studentship (CEFAS, Simon Jennings). Modelling Benthic - Pelagic coupling.
  • Inaki Deza-Cruz (2018) Joint candidature with Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, St Kitts. Epidemiology of Dengue Fever and Chickungyna.
  • Kirsty Lees (2018) Movement Ecology using Underwater Telemetry.
  • Alexander Khan (2018). Indonesian Tuna fisheries.
  • Simone Mordue (2017) funded by Defra. Natterer's bat Myotis Natterreri foraging, habitat use and roosting behaviour.
  • Fabrice Stephenson (2016) Supported by Natural England. Benthic habitat/potfishing interactions.
  • Wahyu Nugraha (2016) Macroecology of Caribbean Parrotfish
  • Zelda Van der Waal (2013) funded by the Environment Agency. Population biology of salmon (Salmo salar) and sea trout (Salmo trutta) in the River Tyne: using modelling to understand the factors influencing migration patterns.
Teaching



  • Skills for the Biosciences (NES1504)
  • Quantitative Ecological Research Skills (NES8010)
  • Biodiversity Policy: Global and National Processes (NES8317)


 

Publications

  • Articles

    • Rajgor AD, Kui C, Mill A, Rushton S, Obara B, Hamilton DW. . The Journal of Laryngology & Otology 2026, 140(1), 31-36.
    • Rajgor AD, Gill T, Aboagye E, Mill A, Rushton S, Obara B, Hamilton DW. . Cancers 2026, 18(2), 237.
    • Ward JKR, Mill A, Robertson A, Delahay RJ, Rushton S. . European Journal of Wildlife Research 2026, 72(1), 11.
    • Cavadino I, Port G, Mill AC, Clover G, Roy HE, Jones H. . People and Nature 2025, 6(5), 1822-1837.
    • de la Torre Cerro R, Beauchamp E, Buzzoni D, Craggs J, East H, Edwards A, Golbuu Y, Humanes A, Lachs L, Martinez H, Mill A, van der Steeg E, Ward A, Guest JR. . Coral Reefs 2025, 44, 501-512.
    • Peyton JM, Rorke S, Aldridge DC, Pescott OL, Dehnen-Schmutz K, Noble DG, Sewell J, Stewart AJA, Adriaens T, Beckmann BC, Britton JR, Brodie J, Brown PMJ, Cavadino ICN, Clark PF, Dunn AM, Foster J, Harrower C, Harvey MC, Jackson MC, Jones T, Maggs CA, Martin G, Mathews F, Mill AC, Murphy D, Paganini E, Payne R, Rabitsch W, Renals T, Schonrogge K, Shaw RH, Smith GC, Stebbing PD, Stroh PA, Tidbury H, Tricarico E, Vallet J, Walker KJ, Wood LE, Wood CA, Woodcock B, Roy HE. . Journal of Applied Ecology 2025, epub ahead of print.
    • Skinner C, Gallimore S, Polunin NVC, Rushton S, Newman SP, Desbiens AA, Mill AC. . Coral Reefs 2024, 43, 985-998.
    • Skerritt DJ, Bell MC, Lees KJ, Mill AC, Polunin NVC, Fitzsimmons C. . Marine Ecology Progress Series 2023, 715, 79-89.
    • Rajgor AD, Kui C, McQueen A, Cowley J, Gillespie C, Mill A, Rushton S, Obara B, Bigirumurame T, Kallas K, O'Hara J, Aboagye E, Hamilton DW. . Journal of Laryngology and Otology 2023, 138(1), 685-691.
    • Bach A, Minderman J, Bunnefeld N, Mill AC, Duthie AB. . Ecology and Society 2022, 27(3), 3.
    • Robertson PA, Mill AC, Adriaens T, Moore N, Vanderhoeven S, Essl F, Booy O. . Biology 2021, 10(12), 1320.
    • Mordue S, Aegerter J, Mill A, Dawson DA, Crepaldi C, Wolff K. . Mammalian Biology 2021, 101, 233-247.
    • Skinner C, Mill AC, Fox MD, Newman SP, Zhu Y, Kuhl A, Polunin NVC. . Science Advances 2021, 7(8), eabf3792.
    • Booy O, Robertson PA, Moore N, Ward J, Roy H, Adriaens T, Shaw D, Van Valkenburg J, Wyn G, Bertolino S, Blight O, Branquart E, Brundu G, Caffery J, Capazzi D, Caesar J, De Clerck O, Coughlan P, Davis P, Dick J, Essl F, Fried G, Genovesi P, Gonzalez-Moreno P, Hysentruyt F, Jenkins S, Katsanevakis S, Kerckhof F, Lucy F, Nentwig W, Newman J, Rabitsch W, Roy S, Starfinger U, Stebbing P, Stuyck J, Sutton-croft M, Tricarico E, Vanderhoeven S, Verreycken H, Mill AC. . Global Change Biology 2020, 26(11), 6235-6250.
    • Ward AI, Richardson S, Mcarthur R, Mill AC. . Mammal Review 2020, 50(2), 211-220.
    • Jaric I, Courchamp F, Correia RA, Crowley SL, Essl F, Fisher A, Gonzalez-Moreno P, Kalinkatt G, Lambin X, Lenzner B, Meinard Y, Mill AC, Musseau C, Novoa A, Pergl J, Pysek P, Pyskova K, Robertson P, von Schmalensee M, Shackleton R, Stefansson RA, Stajerova K, Verissimo D, Jeschke JM. . Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 2020, 18(6), 345-353.
    • Skinner C, Mill AC, Newman SP, Alsagoff SN, Polunin NVC. . Marine Biology 2020, 167(2), 19.
    • Mill AC, Crowley SL, Lambin X, McKinney C, Maggs G, Robertson P, Robinson NJ, Ward AI, Marzano M. . Mammal Review 2020, 50(2), 136-146.
    • Khan A, Mill A, Gray T, Jiang M, Arief H, Brown A, Karman A, Polunin N. . Marine Policy 2020, 122, 104242.
    • Pergl P, Pysek P, Essl F, Jeschke JM, Courchamp F, Geist J, Hejda M, Kowarik I, Mill AC, Musseau C, Pipek P, Saul WC, von Schmalansee M, Strayer D. . Conservation Biology 2020, 34(5), 1311-1314.
    • Cowan D, van der Waal Z, Pidcock S, Gomm M, Stephens N, Brash M, White PCL, Mair L, Mill A. . Mammal Review 2020, 50(2), 180-186.
    • Robertson PA, Mill A, Novoa A, Jeschke JM, Essl F, Gallardo B, Geist J, Jaric I, Lambin X, Musseau C, Pergle J, Pysek P, Rabitsch W, von Schmalensee M, Shirley M, Strayer DL, Stefansson RA, Smith K, Booy O. . Biological Invasions 2020, 22, 2633-2645.
    • Knight J, Ayyash K, Colling K, Dhesi J, Ewan V, Danjoux G, Kothmann E, Mill A, Taylor S, Yates D, Ayyash R. . BMC Geriatrics 2020, 20(1), 311.
    • Khan A, Rizal A, Dewanti LP, Apriliani IM, Junianto, Supriyadi D, Ghiffary W, Nasution AM, Gray TS, Mill AC, Polunin NVC. . AACL Bioflux 2019, 12(2), 636-641.
    • Skinner C, Newman SP, Mill AC, Newton J, Polunin NVC. . Journal of Animal Ecology 2019, 88(10), 1564-1574.
    • Skinner C, Mill AC, Newman SP, Newton J, Cobain MRD, Polunin NVC. . Ecology and Evolution 2019, 9(23), 13267-13277.
    • Duffill Telsnig J, Jennings S, Mill A, Walker N, Parnell A, Polunin NVC. . Journal of Animal Ecology 2019, 88(3), 405-415.
    • Deza-Cruz I, Mill A, Rushton S, Kelly P. . American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 2019, 101(2), 456-458.
    • Everest DJ, Tolhurst-Cherriman DA, Davies H, Dastjerdi A, Ashton A, Blackett T, Meredith AL, Milne E, Mill A, Shuttleworth CM. . Hystrix 2019, 30(1), 44-50.
    • Mair L, Mill AC, Robertson PA, Rushton SP, Shirley MDF, Rodriguez JP, McGowan PJK. . Biological Conservation 2018, 223, 82-96.
    • Lees KJ, Mill AC, Skerritt DJ, Robertson PA, Fitzsimmons C. . Animal Biotelemetry 2018, 6(1).
    • Blackett TA, Simpson VR, Haugland S, Everest DJ, Muir CF, Smith KC, Mill AC. . Veterinary Record 2018, 183, 503.
    • Khan A, Gray T, Mill A, Polunin N. . Marine Policy 2018, 94, 143–149.
    • Scott DM, Baker R, Charman N, Karlsson H, Yarnell RW, Mill AC, Smith GC, Tolhurst BA. . PLoS ONE 2018, 13(5), e0197445.
    • Robertson PA, Adriaens T, Lambin X, Mill A, Roy S, Shuttleworth CM, Sutton-Croft M. . Pest Management Science 2017, 73(2), 273-279.
    • Stephenson F, Polunin NVC, Mill AC, Scott C, Lightfoot P, Fitzsimmons C. . ICES Journal of Marine Science 2017, 74(8), 2201-2212.
    • Stephenson F, Mill AC, Scott C, Stewart GB, Grainger MJ, Polunin NVC, Fitzsimmons C. . Marine Policy 2017, 88, 189-203.
    • Booy O, Mill A, Roy H, Hiley A, Moore N, Robertson P, Baker S, Brazier M, Bue M, Bullock R, Campbell S, Eyre D, Foster J, Hatton-Ellis M, Long J, Macadam C, Morrison-Bell C, Mumford J, Newman J, Parrott D, Payne R, Renals T, Rodgers E, Spencer M, Stebbing P, Sutton-Croft M, Walker K, Ward A, Whittaker S, Wyn G. . Biological Invasions 2017, 19(8), 2401-2417.
    • Robertson PA, Mill AC, Rushton SP, McKenzie AJ, Sage RB, Aebischer NJ. . European Journal of Wildlife Research 2017, 63, 1-10.
    • Stephenson F, Mill AC, Scott CL, Polunin NVC, Fitzsimmons C. . ICES Journal of Marine Science 2017, 74(6), 1648-1659.
    • Nugraha WA, Newman SP, Mill AC, Polunin NVC. . AACL Bioflux 2017, 10(5), 1257-1265.
    • Shuttleworth CM, Mill A, van der Waal Z. . International Journal of Pest Management 2017, 63(4), 316-321.
    • Lavides MN, Molina EPV, de la Rosa GE, Mill AC, Rushton SP, Stead SM, Polunin NVC. . PloS ONE 2016, 11(5), e0155752.
    • Everest DJ, Dastjerdi A, Cowan D, Gomm M, Craig M, Shuttleworth CM, McInnes CJ, Dean D, Coulter L, Mill A, Rushton SP, Jackson NL, Litherland P. . Veterinary Record 2016, 177(14), 373-374.
    • Robertson PA, Adriaens T, Caizergues A, Cranswick PA, Devos K, Gutiérrez-Expósio A, Henderson I, Hughes B, Mill AC, Smith GC. . Biological Invasions 2015, 17(1), 9-12.
    • Skerritt DJ, Robertson PA, Mill AC, Polunin NVC, Fitzsimmons C. . Marine Ecology Progress Series 2015, 536, 203-219.
    • Dunstan HJ, Mill AC, Stephens S, Yates LM, Thomas SHL. . International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 2014, 121(7), 901-906.
    • Mill AC, Rushton SP, Shirley MDF, Smith GC, Mason P, Brown MA, Budge GE. . Environmental Microbiology 2014, 16(12), 3753-3763.
    • Soto E, McGovern-Hopkins E, KlingerBowen R, Fox BK, Brock J, Antonio N, van der Waal Z, Rushton S, Mill A, Tamaru CS. . Journal of Aquatic Aniimal Health 2013, 25(2), 104-109.
    • Slater MJ, Mgaya YD, Mill AC, Rushton SP, Stead SM. . Ocean and Coastal Management 2013, 73, 22-30.
    • Bloomfield HJ, Sweeting CJ, Mill AC, Stead SM, Polunin NVC. . Environmental Conservation 2012, 39(3), 237-247.
    • Mill AC, Rushton SP, Shirley MDF, Murray AWA, Smith GC, Delahay RJ, McDonald RA. . Epidemiology and Infection 2012, 140(2), 219-230.
    • Mill AC, Rushton SP, Murrary AWA, Rose M. . Ecotoxicology 2011, 21(2), 393-408.
    • Scarth JP, Clarke A, Hands J, Teale P, Mill AC, Macarthur R, Kay J, De Brabander H. . Chromatographia 2011, 73(11-12), 1155-1169.
    • Scarth JP, Clarke A, Teale P, Mill AC, Macarthur R, Kay J. . Food Additives & Contaminants: Part A: Chemistry, Analysis, Control, Exposure & Risk Assessment 2011, 28(1), 44-61.
    • Scarth JP, Clarke A, Hands J, Teale P, Mill AC, Macarthur R, Kay J, De Brabander H. . Chromatographia 2010, 72(3-4), 297-305.
    • Yates L, Pierce M, Stephens S, Mill AC, Spark P, Kurinczuk JJ, Valappil M, Brocklehurst P, Thomas SHL, Knight M. . Health Technology Assessment 2010, 14(34), 109-182.
    • Mill AC, Sweeting CJ, Barnes C, Al-Habsi SH, MacNeil MA. . Limnology and Oceanography: Methods 2008, 6, 34-39.
    • Mill AC, Pinnegar JK, Polunin NVC. . Functional Ecology 2007, 21(6), 1137-1145.
    • Dulvy NK, Polunin NVC, Mill AC, Graham NAJ. . Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 2004, 61(3), 466-475.

  • Conference Proceedings (inc. Abstract)

    • Robertson PA, Roy S, Mill AC, Shirley M, Adriaens T, Ward AI, Tatayah V, Booy O. . In: Island Invasives: Scaling up to Meet the Challenge. 2017, Dundee, UK: IUCN.

  • Letter

    • Everest DJ, Dastjerdi A, Cowan D, Gomm M, Shuttleworth CM, McInnes CJ, Deane D, Coulter L, Mill A, Rushton SP, Jackson NL, Litherland P. . Veterinary Record 2016, 179(4), 101-102.

  • Reviews

    • Stevenson EA, Robertson P, Hickinbotham E, Mair L, Willby NJ, Mill A, Booy O, Witts K, Pattison Z. . Biological Invasions 2023, 25, 2423-2438.
    • Richardson S, Mill AC, Davis D, Jam D, Ward AI. . Mammal Review 2020, 50(2), 147-156.