Dr Jonny Hanson
Research Fellow
School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work (SSESW)
Dr Hanson is an academic, award-winning social entrepreneur, snow leopard conservationist and former community farmer who specialises in human-wildlife coexistence and rural development.
Dr Hanson set-up and managed Northern Ireland’s first community-owned farm. He has a PhD in snow leopard conservation from the University of Cambridge and is an Affiliate of the Snow Leopard Conservancy.
A 2023 Nuffield Farming scholar, his recent research explores farmers’ perspectives on large carnivore reintroductions to Britain and Ireland.
Dr Hanson is currently a Research Fellow in the ARK Social Policy Hub. He researches the social aspects of conservation and agriculture, and how these relate to other social processes and policies.
His first popular book, ‘Coexistence: learning to live with lynx, wolves and bears’ is out in early 2025, and his first documentary – on snow leopard conservation in Nepal – is in development.
Field
SociologyAreas of Expertise
Social aspects of conservation and agriculture, and how these relate to other social processes, including tourism and enterprise. Specifically, coexistence between large carnivore conservation and livestock farming, as well as social and community farming.
Media Experience
Dr Hanson has extensive experience with radio, print, digital, TV and podcast media.
Notable coverage
- BBC News UK Daily Email, ‘Living with snow leopards’ (11 November 2019)
- Jubilee Farm launch TV interview on BBC Northern Ireland News (23 January 2019)
- Featured, with Jubilee Farm, in Series 9 of UTV’s Rare Breed – A Farming Year (January – April 2021)
