Mark Fellowes has been passionate about wildlife from an early age, spending his formative years in the wilds of the west of Ireland surveying birds and bringing bits of the countryside into his home. He is now Professor of Ecology at the University of Reading, working on species as diverse as aphids and ants, red kites and sloth bears. With current projects on five continents, his research explores the connections between people and animals, trying to understand how we can live alongside wildlife for the benefit of biodiversity. He lives in the UK.