Biography

Toos leads the Science Policy and Innovation team at Earthwatch Europe.

Toos obtained a BSc degree in Science from University College Utrecht (cum laude) with theses on climate change and conservation of floating fens; an MSc in Biology from Utrecht University with theses on Bumblebee behaviour and the spatial distribution of shore crabs in relation to their food; and a PhD in Ecology from Radboud University Nijmegen, Netherlands and Ghent University, Belgium (jointly awarded). Her PhD thesis investigated the life-cycles of a wide range of invertebrates to understand the impact of calcerous grassland fragmentation and eutrophication “through their eyes” and devise practical management solutions. Her PhD work, conducted over 9 years alongside her full-time job as applied conservation ecologist at Bargerveen Foundation, included descriptive field studies, field experiments, large-scale nature restoration trials, a meta-analysis of the impacts of grazing on invertebrates and theoretical dispersal modelling.  

After completing her PhD Toos moved to the UK where she conducted research on agri-environment schemes at University of Liverpool and worked as a self-employed ecological consultant. Toos combines her academic knowledge with pratical nature conservation and restoration expertise and public engagement experience, which she gained working for Wiltshire Wildlife Trust and Utrecht University Museum.

Toos joined Earthwatch’s executive team in 2014 as director of Engagement and Science and now leads a transdisciplinary research team focussing on applied research in the fields of urban biodiversity, climate proof cities, sustainable agriculture, water pollution and citizen science. The team provides the evidence for Earthwatch’s programmes and policy work, conducts novel environmental research, in particular through citizen science, and advances the science of citizen science. Her own research focusses on understanding how the positive impact of citizen scinece on the environment can be maximized and how citizen science can be integrated with other approches to create maximum benefit for people and nature.