Inaugural Lecture by Beacon Professor Julia Fa

This talk explores biodiversity conservation in the Western Mediterranean, with a particular focus on the Strait of Gibraltar as a crossroads between Europe and Africa. Drawing on Julia’s research in Gibraltar, northern Morocco, and southern Spain, it highlights how conserving biodiversity is not just about protecting species and habitats but also about collaborating with the communities whose lives and livelihoods are intertwined with these landscapes. By illustrating these interconnections, the lecture will show how the University of Gibraltar can act as a beacon for grass roots transformative research and a catalyst for collaboration, positioning Gibraltar as a unique hub for Western Mediterranean biodiversity knowledge, innovation, and action.