Dr Rhys Jones
(he/him)

BSc (Hons) MPhil PhD MCIEEM CEnv FRSB FHEA FLS

Teams and roles for Rhys Jones

Reader
School of Biosciences

I am a Cardiff University Reader in the Education Division of Teaching and Scholarship academic staff in the School of Biosciences.

I am a reptile specialist, environmental consultant, and researcher. I am a Scientific Advisor and Wildlife broadcaster for the BBC, Amazon Prime, The Smithsonian Channel, National Geographic, Discovery Channel and Disney+. I have presented three series of the BBC One primetime network series "Rhys Jones's Wildlife Patrol", for which I received a BAFTA nomination (Best Presenter) in 2014. The series is currently airing on Amazon Prime. I presented two series of "Rhys To The Rescue" which aired on BBC Wales and subsequently on BBC Two network. In addition, I presented on Sir David Attenborough's BBC "Saving Planet Earth" programme, one of a season of nature documentaries with a conservation theme, screened in 2007 to mark the 50th anniversary of its specialist factual department, the BBC Natural History Unit.

I am an international author, with titles including 'Becoming Dr Jones' published/distributed through Headline/Hachette.

School roles

Admissions Officer - Biological Sciences
UCAS Open Day Officer - Biological Sciences
Education Division Staff Wellbeing Support Offer
Module Deputy Lead: BI4003 - Frontiers in Biosciences
Module Deputy Lead: BIT050 - Field Skills for Ecology and Conservation

Date
Type

PhD supervisors

Professor Mike Bruford
Professor Jo Cable (Cardiff University)

My PhD research bridged the disciplines of herpetology, parasitology and evolutionary biology. I initially identified novel methods to both obtain non-invasively collected tissue to construct phylogeographies of all three of our British snake species, providing evidence that the British Adder occupied a niche in Britain during the last ice age. I also evaluated the success of reptile translocation programmes. This was accomplished by non-invasive sampling of slow worms and monitoring their gastro-intestinal parasite fauna over an 18 month period. This led to recommendations for optimal mitigation strategies and the discovery of a parasite species new to the UK that was affecting reptile populations.

Overview:

I teach a wide range of subjects, from studying and specialising in a number of areas, primarily genetics and evolution, parasitology, entomology, herpetology, protected species ecology, and wildlife legislation.

Background:

My undergraduate honours degree was in Genetics and Zoology, my MPhil focused on Medical Molecular Entomology, specifically airborne vectors of disease, and my PhD covered Parasitology, Phylogeography and Herpetology.

Outside of the University I worked as an entomologist at the National Museum Wales and as a Senior Ecologist at both Cresswell Associates and Hyder, and eventually as a Principal Ecologist at my own company.

I also assisted South Wales Police, DEFRA and INTERPOL in resolving international wildlife crime cases, and in training officers in exotic animal handling. I was named on warrants when required to attend cases that needed my expertise and where I needed to be on site. I helped secure the first three successful prosecutions of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) section 14 offences for deliberately releasing a breeding population of non-native animals. In 2011, I received an Award of recognition for voluntary work I performed in pursuit of Wildlife and Environmental Crime Enforcement and commitment to the safety of the Communities of South Wales from South Wales Police.

I have worked as an international television and radio presenter for the BBC, ABC, ITV, Smithsonian, Discovery, National Geographic, Amazon Prime and Disney+ for over three decades. During this time, my programmes have been shown worldwide, and in 2014 I was BAFTA nominated (Best Presenter) for my primetime, BBC One network series, Rhys Jones's Wildlife Patrol. I specialise in science and wildlife presenting, in addition to science communication in general.

I am an international author. My autobiography, Becoming Dr Jones, has been published by Headline/Hachette.

Prior to lecturing at Cardiff, I lectured A-level syllabus at a number of institutions in South Wales, specialising in computer studies, biochemistry and biology. I also taught computer studies at NVQ level II.

Current teaching portfolio:

At Cardiff University, my current teaching portfolio sees me specialising in science communication, environmental consultancy, protected species ecology, genetics, phylogeography, evolution, animal diversity and comparative anatomy.

Undergraduate teaching:

BI1051 Sexual selection in Animals lecture

BI1051 Genetic basis for Evolutionary Change lectures

BI200 Weeklong Protected Species Field Skills Course

BI231 Animal Diversity and Adaptation: Amphibian and Reptile lectures

BI3354 Advanced Comparative Anatomy workshop

Postgraduate (Level 7) teaching:

BI4003 (Integrated Masters) Science Communication lectures

BI4003 (Integrated Masters) Science Communication workshop

BI4003 (Integrated Masters) Formative Journal club

BI4003 (Integrated Masters) Summative journal Club

BIT002 (MRes) Ecology and Environmental Management

BIT050 (MSc) Global Ecology and Conservation: Protected Species field course

BIT050 (MSc) Global Ecology and Conservation: Protected Species lectures

BIT050 (MSc) Global Ecology and Conservation: Wildlife Legislation lectures

Overview:

I completed my PhD on “British reptile conservation: phylogeography and translocation studies” in 2009. I conduct research and hold the position of Lecturer at School of Biosciences, Cardiff University. I assisted and eventually lectured on the previous Tropical Ecology field course, Kenya, between 1997 and 2013. During this time, I worked closely with the Maasai communities of the Loita, Kenya, and I have extensive experience of East Africa ecology.

I am a Principal ecologist, a Fellow of the Linnean Society of London, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology, a Member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management, a Chartered Environmentalist, and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Author

I am an international author published on Headline/Hachette.

'Becoming Dr Jones' (ISBN-13: 9781786159625)

‘Inspirational’ Professor Alice Roberts

‘Engrossing’ Professor Ben Garrod

'The enthralling coming-of-age story of wildlife presenter and scientist Rhys Jones'

Growing up on a council estate in South Wales, Rhys Jones never imagined how far life could take him. But a trip with his grandfather to see Stephen Spielberg’s blockbuster Raiders of the Lost Ark changed his perspective forever. The dream of emulating his hero Indiana Jones and travelling to the farthest reaches of the planet to explore exotic locations and its wildlife burned deep inside him.

In Becoming Dr Jones, Rhys shares his inspiring journey, from the Australian outback to the furthest outpost of the Maasai tribe in Eastern Africa. Filled with highs, lows, humour and poignancy, as well as reverent insights into some of the amazing residents of our beloved natural world, Dr Rhys Jones has taken the mantle of adventure to a whole new level.

Television

Presenter and Scientific advisor of BBC One Primetime (now showing on Amazon Prime) Rhys Jones's Wildlife Patrol. Working alongside the police, DEFRA and Interpol to tackle wildlife crime. Filming in real time and producing ground breaking results, including the first successful prosecutions under the Wildlife and Countryside Act section 14 for the deliberate release of breeding non-native species.

Presenter and Scientific Advisor on 'British Treasure, American Gold' currently showing in 23 countries across the globe on the Discovery Channel. The programme sees me teaming up with Jesse McClure of LA Storage Hunters fame to forensically investigate some of the historical items he recovers in the series.

Presenter and Scientific Advisor on "Top Ten Biggest Beasts Ever' currently showing on National Geographic Channel worldwide. Helping to resurrect and discover more about the biggest animals to ever reside on Earth.

Presenter and Scientific Advisor on 'Biggest Beasts Ever', currently showing on the Smithsonian Channel across the United States of America. Helping to bring the long-extinct Titanoboa back to life in a fascinating two-hour documentary.

Presenter and Scientific Advisor on 'The Alaska Triangle', looking at mysterious goings on and cryptid sightings in Alaska which is currently being showcased on the Discovery Channel.

Presenter of BBC One Wales Rhys to the Rescue. Series looking at Wildlife rescue and conservation (2 series).

Presenter BBC One Wales Royal Welsh Show. Covering all the goings on at Europe's largest agricultural show (7 series).

Radio

I have recorded a number of BBC Radio series, including 'My date with death', a series that saw me sequence my genome to examine the genetic basis of disease and reveal my probable cause and date of death. We also examined the percentage DNA that could be attributed to my Neanderthal ancestry.

The Science Show, Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), interview on Thylacines and other extraordinary sightings of fantastic beasts!

I regularly provide content for Radio Wales, and interviews on BBC Radio 2 Drivetime, Radio 4's Inside Science and the Cerys Matthews show on BBC Radio 6 Music.

Recent articles

https://theconversation.com/in-defence-of-racer-snakes-the-demons-of-planet-earth-ii-theyre-only-after-a-meal-68514

http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/in-defence-of-racer-snakes-the-demons-of-planet-earth-ii-a7409416.html

http://www.newstatesman.com/culture/tv-radio/2016/11/defence-planet-earth-iis-racer-snakes

Steve Backshall’s World tour: A Review

Honours and awards

2025 Awarded Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA).

2023 Elected a Member of the Society of Authors.

2023 Award of Recognition (Scientific collaboration with Somaliland government and its people) for outstanding contribution to the Somaliland people of Wales and Somaliland.

2015 Elected Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) by the Society for the Environment.

2014 Elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology (FRSB).

2014 Elected Fellow of the Linnean Society of London (FLS).

2014 Elected a Member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (MCIEEM).

2014 BAFTA nominated (Best Presenter).

2012 Award of Recognition for voluntary work performed in pursuit of Wildlife and Environmental Crime Enforcement and commitment to the safety of the Communities of South Wales. Presented by Inspector M Taylor, Central Division, East, South Wales Police.

Professional memberships

Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy

Membership of the Society of Authors

Chartered Environmentalist (Society of Ecology)

Fellowship Royal Society of Biology

Fellowship Linnean Society London

Membership of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management

Speaking engagements

2025 Cardiff University Learning and Teaching Academy. Innovative lecture delivery. Cardiff University staff training for FHEA.

2025 Dr Rhys Jones at the Lost Arc. Social Farms and Gardens (Tyfu) Powys. Lecture, Attracting wildlife to your garden.

2024 Bouygues UK Annual St Davids Day Breakfast. Speaking as a Principal Ecologist to Industry leaders in construction.

2024 An Evening with Miriam Margolyes. In conversation with Miriam, talking politics, education, identity, and in-depth analysis of her recent Australian programmes.

2024 Gwyl Lyfrau Aberavon Book Festival. In conversation about my career as a scientist, broadcaster and author.

2024 Appledore Book Festival. Vet Joe Collins (Vet at the end of the World) and I (Becoming Dr Jones) talking about books and wildlife adventures worldwide. Sponsored by Waterstones.

2024 YCIS Hong Kong. After Dinner lecture on feathered Dinosaurs and their relationship to modern birds.

2024 BBC Breakfast. Live interview exploring how we can safeguard our National Museums in times of austerity.

2024 Transforming Lives. Universities Wales. Recorded live interview illustrating the life changing impact of attending university. Interview shown at Waterfront Building, Cardiff Bay and attended by a number of Senedd AMs and Cardiff University Vice Chancellor Wendy Larner.

2023 YCIS Hong Kong. After Dinner speech on Comparative anthropology; our ancestors and relatives.

2023 WJEC. Leadership Conference, Vale Resort. After dinner speaker.

2023 Grangetown Role model and Career week Key note speaker.

2023 National Museum Wales, After Dark: Science on Show event.

2023 Waterstones Cardiff. Becoming Dr Jones launch with actor John Rhys Davies and I reading sections from my latest book and talking Indiana Jones and wildlife adventures.

2023 IntoFilm Cymru, The Good Dinosaur. Key note speaker and presenter.

2021 Watamu, Kenya. Local Ocean Trust. Talking about tumours observed in Green turtles as a result of pollution of the marine environment.

2020 Christmas celebrity University Challenge. Representing Cardiff University with Laura McAllister, Nicole Cooke, and Chancellor Laura Trevelyan.

2019 Presidential Palace, Somaliland. Honoured to have been invited to interview the Vice President of Somaliland, Abdirahman Abdillahi. Talking plastic bottle wastage, installing female toilet facilities at schools to avoid toilet poverty, and taking a message home to Somalilanders living in Wales.

2019 Hiddo Dhawr Cultural Centre, Somaliland. Speech to 9 of the 22 Somaliland Government ministers to secure collaboration between Cardiff University and various high profile projects across Somaliland, attracting extensive national TV coverage.

2019 Somaliland. Part of the Cardiff University Team that secured the memorandum of understanding between Cardiff University and the Somaliland government following a week of intense negotiations.

2019 Makerere University, Uganda. Cardiff University Team helping local communities generate sustainable income from harvesting indigenous crops, especially mint oil production for cosmetics and food industry, at a trial site in Kyoga (funded by BBSRC GCRF). Extensive national TV and radio coverage of our visit.

2019 Kamonkoli College in Uganda, speaking as part of the Cardiff University team sent to assist local people in generating sustainable income from harvesting native crops. Speaking to a college student assembly about our work and the purpose of our visit, followed by a Q&A session.

2019 Jinan University, Guangzhou, China. Introduction to Cardiff University and its degree schemes, followed by a traditional exchange of gifts ceremony to strengthen ties between our universities.

2019 Jinan University first affiliated hospital, Guangzhou, China. Visit to the hospital to give a talk on Cardiff University Medical and Anatomy courses. Covered by a variety of Chinese media, including regional newspapers.

2019 Singapore International school, Hong Kong. Becoming Dr Jones: a wild life. Keynote speaker (>1000 attendees).

2019 Pui Kiu College, Hong Kong. Becoming Dr Jones, a lecture on being a Cardiff University lecturer and the courses we offer.

2019 South Island School, Hong Kong. Raising awareness of endangered species in Hong Kong and introducing the Cardiff University School of Biosciences as an admissions officer.

2019 Hong Kong Baptist University affiliated School, Wong Kim Fai secondary school. Becoming Dr Jones, a lecture on being a Cardiff University lecturer and the courses we offer.

2019 Sha tin College, Hong Kong. Becoming Dr Jones talk introducing Cardiff University. Attended by over 300 students.

2019 Royal Society of Biology and Chartered Institute of Environmental Management. Delivering the Engaging Engagement lecture.

2019 The Three Doctors panel; evening event for Wales Comic Con. Hosting Timelords David Tenant and Matt Smith on the big sofa talking all things Dr Who, Good Omens, and House of the Dragon.

2018 Head Teachers Association of Wales. Engaging teaching methods for science. Key note seminar speaker.

2018 Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education. Talk about opportunities to study medicine and biosciences at Cardiff University.

2018 British Council, Hong Kong. Introduction to studying Medicine and Biosciences at Cardiff University. Public event.

2018 Victoria Shanghai Academy, Hong Kong. Becoming Dr Jones, a lecture on being a Cardiff University lecturer and the courses we offer.

2018 Singapore International school, Hong Kong. Becoming Dr Jones: a wild life. Keynote speaker.

2018 Wong Kim Fai Secondary School, Hong Kong. Becoming Dr Jones, a lecture on being a Cardiff University lecturer and the courses we offer.

2018 Shanghai Academy, Hong Kong. Becoming Dr Jones, a lecture on being a Cardiff University lecturer and the courses we offer.

2018 IntoFilm Cymru Festival, Key note speaker and presenter for Jurassic Park: Fallen Kingdom.

2018 Hugh James Legal. Learning at work week: Enforcing successful wildlife crime prosecutions. Key note speaker, legal and scientific advisor.

2018 Go Wales and Cardiff University Student Support and Wellbeing Division. Delivering the Dyslexia Awareness public lecture.

2018 Go Wales and Cardiff University Student Support and Wellbeing Division. Leaders with Disabilities. Speaker.

2018 Head Teachers Association of Wales. Engaging teaching methods for science. Key note seminar speaker.

2017 Mountain Ash Comprehensive School. Accelerated reading Challenge. Guest Speaker

2017 Association of Science Education Annual Conference, "STEM Beyond the Classroom", Speaker, National Museum Wales

2017 British Association of Science Annual Conference, Brighton. Presenter and lecturer.

2017 Bee Well Cardiff Conference, School of Pharmacy, Cardiff University.

2017 ABC (Australian broadcasting Corporation) ‘The Science Show’. Interviews on cryptozoology and Australian fauna.

2016 and 2017 Wales Gene Park Annual Conferences. Host and presenter

2016 British Science Association. British Science Festival, Swansea. Speaker.

2015 IntoFilm Cymru, The Science of Jurassic Park. Keynote lecture/speaker

2014-15 Elected as Welsh Government library’s Champion 2014 and 2015. Travelling on behalf of Welsh Government and Welsh Libraries to every Welsh County to communicate the love of reading for pleasure, knowledge building and self-improvement in an hour-long presentation followed by a Q&A session. Talks were targeting disadvantaged communities across all 23 Welsh Library hubs nationwide.

2014 BAFTA Cymru Awards Ceremony. One of the Hosts for the 2014 British Academy of Film and Television Award ceremony at the Millennium Centre, Cardiff

2014 Natural Science Collections Association (NatSCA) International Conference, alongside Prof. Alice Roberts and Prof. Ben Garrod

2014 MUSE, Trento, Italy. Plight of the Snow Vole. Talk to museum staff, which was consequently filmed for BBC television and aired on BBC One.

2014 Reptiles of the Arabuko Sokoke National Park, Watamu, Kenya. Lecturing on various reptiles encountered in the Arabuko Sokoke rainforest and surrounding marine environments. Cardiff University and public lecture.

Engagement overview:

In addition to being a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, I am a BAFTA-nominated (Best Presenter) scientific adviser and broadcaster to various television and radio networks including the BBC, Discovery Channel, National Geographic Channel, Smithsonian Channel, Amazon Prime and Disney+.

Self-titled Prime time BBC One network programming (Rhys Jones's Wildlife Patrol),
Five self-titled BBC series (including Rhys to the Rescue and Rhys Jones's Wildlife Patrol)
Seven series of The Royal Welsh Show for the BBC
New Rhys Jones's Wildlife Patrol programme recorded exclusively for Amazon Prime
Top Ten Biggest Beasts Ever - for Disney+
The Alaska Triangle - for Discovery
My Date with Death - BBC radio series
Internationally recognised television presenter

Other engagement:

I undertake local, national and international engagement and outreach for Cardiff University.

Selected local engagement includes:

British Science Association. British Science Festival, Swansea. Speaker.
Association of Science Education Annual Conference, "STEM Beyond the Classroom", Speaker, National Museum Wales.
Head Teachers Association of Wales. Engaging teaching methods for science. Key note seminar speaker.
WJEC Leadership Conference after dinner speaker.
Welsh Government libraries Ambassador and Reading Champion.
BAFTA Cymru Host
His Worship the Mayor of the Vale of Glamorgan’s Official Environmental Advisor
International Ambassador for The Llandough Hospital Orchard Charity Project
Ambassador to the Wildlife Trusts Wales of South and West Wales.
Grangetown Role model and Career week Key note speaker.

Selected National engagement includes:

Hugh James Legal. Learning at work week: Enforcing successful wildlife crime prosecutions. Key note speaker, legal and scientific advisor.
British Association of Science Annual Conference, Brighton. Presenter and lecturer.
Bouygues UK Annual St Davids Day Breakfast. Speaking as a Principal Ecologist to Industry leaders in construction.
Christmas celebrity University Challenge. Representing Cardiff University with Laura McAllister, Nicole Cooke, and Chancellor Laura Trevelyan.
Natural Science Collections Association (NatSCA) International Conference, alongside Prof. Alice Roberts and Prof. Ben Garrod
Appledore Book Festival. Vet Joe Collins (Vet at the end of the World) and I (Becoming Dr Jones) talking about books and wildlife adventures worldwide. Sponsored by Waterstones.
Royal Society of Biology and Chartered Institute of Environmental Management. Delivering the Engaging Engagement lecture.
BBC Breakfast. Live interview exploring how we can safeguard our National Museums in times of austerity.

Selected International engagement includes:

MUSE, Trento, Italy. Plight of the Snow Vole. Talk to museum staff, which was consequently filmed for BBC television and aired on BBC One.
ABC (Australian broadcasting Corporation) ‘The Science Show’. Interviews on cryptozoology and Australian fauna.
Watamu, Kenya. Local Ocean Trust. Talking about tumours observed in Green turtles as a result of pollution of the marine environment.
Hiddo Dhawr Cultural Centre, Somaliland. Speech to 9 of the 22 Somaliland Government ministers to secure collaboration between Cardiff University and various high profile projects across Somaliland, attracting extensive national TV coverage.
Presidential Palace, Somaliland. Honoured to have been invited to interview the Vice President of Somaliland, Abdirahman Abdillahi. Talking plastic bottle wastage, installing female toilet facilities at schools to avoid toilet poverty, and taking a message home to Somalilanders living in Wales.
Makerere University, Uganda. Cardiff University Team helping local communities generate sustainable income from harvesting indigenous crops, especially mint oil production for cosmetics and food industry, at a trial site in Kyoga (funded by BBSRC GCRF). Extensive national TV and radio coverage of our visit.2019 Jinan University, Guangzhou, China. Introduction to Cardiff University and its degree schemes, followed by a traditional exchange of gifts ceremony to strengthen ties between our universities.
2019 Jinan University first affiliated hospital, Guangzhou, China. Visit to the hospital to give a talk on Cardiff University Medical and Anatomy courses. Covered by a variety of Chinese media, including regional newspapers.
South Island School, Hong Kong. Raising awareness of endangered species in Hong Kong and introducing the Cardiff University School of Biosciences as an admissions officer.
Singapore International school, Hong Kong. Becoming Dr Jones: a wild life. Keynote speaker (>1000 attendees).
YCIS Hong Kong. After Dinner lecture on Comparative anthropology; our ancestors and relatives.
Reptiles of the Arabuko Sokoke National Park, Watamu, Kenya. Lecturing on various reptiles encountered in the Arabuko Sokoke rainforest and surrounding marine environments. Cardiff University and public lecture.
Watamu, Kenya. Local Ocean Trust. Talking about tumours observed in Green turtles as a result of pollution of the marine environment.

Selected engagement in chronological order: