Bard Professor Felicia Keesing Elected a Fellow of the British Ecological Society
Felicia Keesing.
Felicia Keesing, the David and Rosalie Rose Distinguished Professor of Science, Mathematics, and Computing at Bard College, has been elected a fellow of the British Ecological Society (BES). The fellowship is bestowed in recognition of outstanding contributions to ecology through research, teaching, leadership, policy, and the practical application of ecological science. BES is the oldest ecological society in the world, and brings ecological experts together to seek science-based solutions for some of the most pressing challenges of our time.
Keesing is a community ecologist who studies the consequences of interactions among species, particularly as biodiversity declines. Her recent work focuses on how biodiversity influences the probability that humans and other animals will be exposed to infectious diseases. She has worked in Kenya since 1995, studying how the disappearance of elephants, giraffes, and other large mammals influences the way African savannas function. Keesing has also worked extensively to improve biology education for undergraduate students.
Founded over a century ago, the British Ecological Society was the first Society in the world committed to understanding our earth through ecology, the science studying the relationship between living things and their environment. That goal remains today with a global community spanning 120 countries and a strategic mission to find ecological solutions for a planet under threat.
Separately, Keesing has also been awarded a month-long residency by the Rockefeller Foundation, an organization that promotes the well-being of humanity by finding and scaling solutions that advance opportunity and reverse the climate crisis. The residency will take place at the Bellagio Center on Lake Como in Italy, a retreat center funded by the foundation. Residencies at the Bellagio Center are intended to foster 'breakthroughs essential to humanity’s well-being.' The Center’s residency program has hosted Nobel Laureates, economists, writers, Supreme Court justices, and world leaders.
Post Date: 01-27-2026
Keesing is a community ecologist who studies the consequences of interactions among species, particularly as biodiversity declines. Her recent work focuses on how biodiversity influences the probability that humans and other animals will be exposed to infectious diseases. She has worked in Kenya since 1995, studying how the disappearance of elephants, giraffes, and other large mammals influences the way African savannas function. Keesing has also worked extensively to improve biology education for undergraduate students.
Founded over a century ago, the British Ecological Society was the first Society in the world committed to understanding our earth through ecology, the science studying the relationship between living things and their environment. That goal remains today with a global community spanning 120 countries and a strategic mission to find ecological solutions for a planet under threat.
Separately, Keesing has also been awarded a month-long residency by the Rockefeller Foundation, an organization that promotes the well-being of humanity by finding and scaling solutions that advance opportunity and reverse the climate crisis. The residency will take place at the Bellagio Center on Lake Como in Italy, a retreat center funded by the foundation. Residencies at the Bellagio Center are intended to foster 'breakthroughs essential to humanity’s well-being.' The Center’s residency program has hosted Nobel Laureates, economists, writers, Supreme Court justices, and world leaders.
Post Date: 01-27-2026