Nicola Favretto

Biography

I am an interdisciplinary environmental social scientist and Lecturer at the University of York, working across the Leverhulme Centre for Anthropocene Biodiversity (LCAB) and the Department of Environment and Geography. My research integrates ecology, social science, and economics to develop decision-relevant approaches to biodiversity, ecosystem services, and climate resilience. Previously, I held research positions at the University of Leeds and the United Nations University, following a PhD in Environmental Sustainability and Development from the University of Leeds. I joined LCAB to help advance interdisciplinary biodiversity research that informs policy, business, and environmental decision-making.

Research

My research focuses on developing decision-relevant approaches to biodiversity, ecosystem services, and climate resilience by integrating ecological, social, and economic perspectives. At LCAB, I investigate how biodiversity metrics can better incorporate Indigenous and Local Knowledge, stakeholder values, and socio-ecological resilience to support decision-making in policy, business, and finance. My work spans climate-resilient development, ecosystem service assessment, and nature-related risk, combining participatory research with ecological and socio-economic analysis. I collaborate across disciplines with ecologists, engineers, economists, and social scientists, and with partners including governments, international organisations, industry, and local communities. My research has been supported by UKRI, BBSRC, ESRC, YESI, and international funders, and has informed policy development, stakeholder engagement, and emerging frameworks for biodiversity assessment and nature-positive decision-making.

Publication highlights 

Funder 

The Leverhulme Trust