MsAisling Rayne

As an Adjunct Fellow in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Canterbury, my work explores the social dimensions of conservation—how people understand, value, and care for biodiversity in Aotearoa New Zealand. My research focuses on freshwater species, introduced species, hybrids, and the social bases of conservation decision‑making, drawing on human geography, science and technology studies, and my training in conservation genomics and ecology. 

I am also a Social Scientist at the Cawthron Institute, where I contribute to programmes such as Fish Futures and lead a Marsden Fast-Start project on hybrid species in conservation. My work there examines how different knowledge systems shape management decisions and how communities engage with species in changing environments. 

Across my collaborations—including ongoing work with Te Pūnaha Matatini—I aim to help build more inclusive, culturally grounded, and socially just conservation futures for Aotearoa.