A Lancaster University marine biologist has been recognised with prestigious Fellow of the British Ecological Society (BES) status.

Dr Sally Keith, Senior Lecturer in the Lancaster Environment Centre, has been recognised as part of the BES’s second round of Fellows - a new cohort of 23 ecologists whose work has made a lasting impact on the discipline.

Founded more than a century ago, the BES was the first Society in the world committed to understanding our Earth through ecology.

BES Fellows are recognised for their outstanding contributions to ecology through research, teaching, leadership, policy, and the practical application of ecological science.

Dr Keith, whose research focuses on how environmental change alters coral reefs, particularly fish behaviour, has pioneered the concept of ‘macrobehaviour’. This emerging discipline explores behavioural patterns across large geographical regions, broad taxonomic groups, and long timescales, marking a departure from the traditional focus on individual species or local population.

Dr Keith has been a member of the society for 18 years and co-founded the BES Special Interest Group in Macroecology in 2013.

Professor Tim Coulson, who is on the BES Fellows committee, said: “Being awarded FBES was a highlight of 2025 for me. The society is a real force for good, and something I have been involved with on and off for over 30 years. It was an honour to sit on the panel reviewing Fellows' applications. I was so impressed with the quality of applications from practitioners, policy setters, and academics.”

Dr Keith said: “I have always been a big fan of the BES, so I am delighted to gain Fellow status and get more involved. I see this Fellowship as an opportunity to contribute leadership within a Society that is committed to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion, building creative and collaborative teams. Only by working together can we deliver the solutions needed to address the biodiversity crisis.”