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Geography and Environmental Science

Professor David L. Hawksworth CBE, BSc (Hons), PhD, DSc, FhD (hc), MCSFS, CBiol, FRSB, FLS

Visiting Professor in Forensic Ecology and Mycology

Professor David L. Hawksworth's photo

Professor David L. Hawksworth is a Visiting Professor for Geography and Environmental Science at the University of Southampton.

Mycologist, applying knowledge of fungi (especially microfungi and lichens) to various aspects of applied and environmental sciences, including conservation, ecology, forensic science, medical mycology, palaeoecology, plant pathology, and pollution monitoring.

My primary interest is the identification of fungi (including lichens) and the application of that knowledge to applied and environmental sciences, including conservation, ecology, forensic science, medical mycology, palaeoecology, plant pathology, and pollution monitoring.

CBE, for services to science, 1996

Undergraduate and Postgraduate student, University of Leicester 1964-69

Mycologist, International Mycological Institute (Kew) 1969-81

Scientific Assistant to Executive Director, CAB International (Farnham Royal) 1981-83

Director, International Mycological Institute (Kew and Egham) 1981-97

Consultant, MycoNova 1998-2000

Profesor, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid 2000 on

President of the: International Union of Biological Sciences 1994-97; International Mycological Association 1990-94; British Mycological Society 1990; British Lichen Society 1986-87

Medals and Awards: Bicentenary Medal, Linnean Society 1978; Acharius Medal, International Association for Lichenology 2002; Josef Adolf von Arx Award, Royal Dutch Academy of Sciences, 2011; Ainsworth Medal, International Mycological Association 2014; Founders' Award, European Mycological Association 2015

Research interests

With over 50 years experience in the classification and identification of fungi, Professor Hawksworth is a recognized world authority on the diversity, systematics, and ecology of fungi, especially microfungi and lichens. He is particularly known for studies and surveys of fungal diversity, and the bioindication of air pollution. Other interests include the biodiversity and conservation and naming systems of all groups of organisms.

Since 2007, working mainly with leading forensic ecologist, botanist and palynologist Professor Patricia Wiltshire, he has also applied his mycological knowledge to criminal and civil forensic cases, including 18 cases of murder, and he has appeared in court as an expert witness in murder trials.

He also undertakes field surveys, training courses, environmental impact assessments, the preparation of specialist reports, and consultancies involving litigation, on a wide range of issues involving fungi (including lichens), including mould growths in buildings. He has also given evidence in public enquiries.

PhD supervision

University of Reading; Universidad Complutense de Madrid; University of Portsmouth; Liverpool John Moores University

Research group

Palaeoenvironmental Laboratory at the University of Southampton (PLUS)

Editor-in-Chief, Biodiversity and Conservation 2006 on

Editor-in-Chief, IMA Fungus 2010 on

General and Editorial Committees, International Association for Plant Taxonomy 1987 on

IUBS/IUMS International Committee on Bionomenclature 1995 on

International Commission on the Taxonomy of Fungi 1982 on

Professor David L. Hawksworth
Building 44 University of Southampton University Road Southampton SO17 1BJ
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