Department of History

If you wish to get in touch with our administrative staff, please see the admin staff contact page.

Image of Rob Lambert

Rob Lambert

Assistant Professor in Environmental History, Faculty of Social Sciences

Contact

Biography

Dr Rob Lambert is a multi-disciplinary academic at the University of Nottingham, working in environmental history and tourism & the environment. He holds a MA (Hons) in Modern History and a PhD in Environmental History from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. From 1998-2000 he held a Leverhulme Research Fellowship at St. Andrews in the field of British environmental history studying the historical relationships between grey seals and people. Rob is also Senior Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Western Australia where he delivered the prestigious Alexander Lecture in 2006, taking as his theme 'Contested Nature in the modern British countryside'. He has published a number of books: edited collections Species History in Scotland (1998); (with T.C. Smout) Rothiemurchus: Nature and People on a Highland Estate 1500-2000 (1999); (with Ian Rotherham) Invasive and Introduced Plants and Animals: human perceptions, attitudes and approaches to management (2011, 2013); and a research monograph Contested Mountains (2001) about the Cairngorms range in the Highlands of Scotland; as well as numerous academic articles and book chapters on the past and present relationships between Nature and People in Great Britain, conservation conflicts, species history, the nature conservation movement and the rise of domestic environmentalism, ecotourism and wildlife tourism.

Rob was a writer on the international 'Ghosts of Gone Birds' art and conservation project in 2011; and was a Steering Group member of the environmental think-tank New Networks for Nature (N3) from 2011-2014. He was co-founder of A Focus on Nature (AFON), the network for young nature conservationists in the UK, launched in 2012 and now with over 3000+ members. In 2013, Rob was elected an Associate Member of the Centre for Environment, Heritage and Policy (CEHP) at the University of Stirling. He has been an editor of the international journal Environment and History since 2000. He published two essays in the popular 'Seasons' anthologies edited by Melissa Harrison and published by Elliot & Thompson in 2016, and writes for BBC Wildlife magazine.

Rob is Vice-President of the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust & Community Ambassador for Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust. He was Vice-President of the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust from 2012-2017. He was a national Ambassador for the wider Wildlife Trusts movement in their centenary year of 2012. Rob finished runner-up in 'Celebrity Wild Brain of Britain' 2011 & 2012!

Rob is a qualified BDMLR Marine Mammal Medic.

Expertise Summary

I can supervise research students at UG or PG level in areas of British and global environmental history, species history, the history of nature conservation; the history of environmentalism; environmental management; landscape and environment, conservation conflicts; eco-tourism, wildlife tourism, sustainability, Antarctica and TV and Radio natural history.

Teaching Summary

Rob offers a range of 'environment' based modules that have wide multi-and-inter disciplinary appeal across the university, some historical, others more contemporary, but all fundamentally concerned… read more

Research Summary

Recent research endeavours have focused on conservation conflicts and so-called conflict species (for example, birds of prey, or predatory mammals); the alien and invasive species debate; the history… read more

Recent Publications

  • ROBERT A. LAMBERT, 2022. Contested Mountains: Nature, Development & Environment in the Cairngorms Region of Scotland, 1880-1980: [Paperback Edition] Cambridge: White Horse Press.
  • ROBERT A. LAMBERT, 2020. Song Thrush. In: KIT JEWITT, ed., Red Sixty Seven: a collection of words and art inspired by Britain's most vulnerable birds British Trust for Ornithology. 104-105
  • ROBERT A. LAMBERT, 2019. Atlantic Grey Seals. In: GARMAN, CAROLYN, ed., Isles of Scilly The Guide 2020 Visit Scilly/Islands Partnership. 38
  • ROBERT A. LAMBERT, 2017. Torrey Canyon: the wreck that changed our world: Talking Point Essay BBC Wildlife. 35(4), 30-34

Rob offers a range of 'environment' based modules that have wide multi-and-inter disciplinary appeal across the university, some historical, others more contemporary, but all fundamentally concerned with understanding complex Nature-People relationships over time and place.

HIST2008 Environmental History: Nature & the Western World, 1800-2000 [UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand]

BUSI2014 Managing Tourism & the Environment: conflict or consensus?

BUSI4575 Sustainable Tourism Management

Rob also contributes environmental history lectures to History outline modules: V12153 The Contemporary World since 1945; V11205 Roads to Modernity, 1789-1945

Rob supervises 3rd year History Dissertations in Environmental History & Masters Dissertations in Tourism Management.

Current Research

Recent research endeavours have focused on conservation conflicts and so-called conflict species (for example, birds of prey, or predatory mammals); the alien and invasive species debate; the history of mass membership nature conservation organisations in the UK such as the RSPB, National Trust, the Wildlife Trusts, WWT; societal responses to conservation challenges and biodiversity loss; the rise of a domestic ecotourism agenda in Britain both within the NGO world and private sector; wildlife tourism and biodiversity conservation; marine ecotourism; human impacts and natural changes within species history; the multiple use of land; access and outdoor recreation; ideas of extinction and memory; concepts of rewilding; the history of wildlife and natural history television and radio.

I have also compiled 3 International 'Observer' research reports for the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) on the current operations and sustainable practices of expedition ships and tour operators in Antarctica.

Since 2000, I have served on the Editorial Board of the international journal Environment and History

Past Research

Past research has focused on British environmental history post-1800, with a particular emphasis on species history, landscape history, the history of nature conservation and changing human attitudes to Nature. From 1998-2000, I held a Leverhulme Research Fellowship looking at the environmental history of the grey seal in twentieth century Britain. Other work has focused on the environmental history of the Scottish Highlands, the species history of birds and mammals, extinction and memory, conservation conflicts, the history of tourism and outdoor recreation in Britain, the rise of ecotourism and wildlife tourism etc.

  • ROBERT A. LAMBERT, 2022. Contested Mountains: Nature, Development & Environment in the Cairngorms Region of Scotland, 1880-1980: [Paperback Edition] Cambridge: White Horse Press.
  • ROBERT A. LAMBERT, 2020. Song Thrush. In: KIT JEWITT, ed., Red Sixty Seven: a collection of words and art inspired by Britain's most vulnerable birds British Trust for Ornithology. 104-105
  • ROBERT A. LAMBERT, 2019. Atlantic Grey Seals. In: GARMAN, CAROLYN, ed., Isles of Scilly The Guide 2020 Visit Scilly/Islands Partnership. 38
  • ROBERT A. LAMBERT, 2017. Torrey Canyon: the wreck that changed our world: Talking Point Essay BBC Wildlife. 35(4), 30-34
  • ROBERT A. LAMBERT, 2017. Pinnipeds around the Isles of Scilly Isles of Scilly Natural History Review 2016. 208-210
  • ROBERT A. LAMBERT, 2016. Wild Britannia: environmental history, wildlife television and new publics in Britain. In: PETER COATES, DAVID MOON and PAUL WARDE, eds., Local Places, Global Processes: histories of environmental change in Britain and beyond Chapter 13. Windgather Press/Oxbow Books, Oxford. 118-124
  • ROBERT A. LAMBERT, 2016. Destination Nature: wildlife and the rise of domestic ecotourism in Britain, 1880-2015. In: IAN CONVERY and PETER DAVIS, eds., Changing Perceptions of Nature Chapter 23. The Boydell Press, Woodbridge. 235-243
  • ROBERT A. LAMBERT and TIM SANDS, 2016. Our Vanishing Natural Heritage and the Wildlife Trusts: a century of influence and local action for nature and people. In: IAN CONVERY and PETER DAVIS, eds., Changing Perceptions of Nature Chapter 20. The Boydell Press, Woodbridge. 203-212
  • ROBERT A. LAMBERT, 2016. Tales from the Bush BBC Wildlife. 34(1), 114
  • ROBERT LAMBERT, 2016. Autumn migration. In: MELISSA HARRISON, ed., Autumn: an anthology for the changing seasons Elliott and Thompson, London. 130-133
  • ROBERT LAMBERT, 2016. The Winter Fens. In: MELISSA HARRISON, ed., Winter: an anthology for the changing seasons Elliott and Thompson, London. 157-160
  • ROBERT A. LAMBERT, 2015. Environmental History and Conservation Conflicts. In: STEVE M. REDPATH, R.J. GUTIERREZ, KEVIN A. WOOD and JULIETTE C. YOUNG, eds., Conflicts in Conservation: navigating towards solutions Chapter 4. Cambridge University Press. 49-63
  • REDPATH, S.M., YOUNG, J., EVELY, A., ADAMS, W.M., SUTHERLAND, W.J., WHITEHOUSE, A., AMAR, A., LAMBERT, R.A., LINNELL, J.D.C., WATT, A. and GUTIÉRREZ, R.J., 2013. Understanding and managing conservation conflicts Trends in Ecology and Evolution. 28(2), 100-109
  • IAN D. ROTHERHAM and ROBERT A. LAMBERT, eds., 2013. Invasive and Introduced Plants and Animals: human perceptions, attitudes and approaches to management Routledge, London.
  • ROBERT A. LAMBERT, 2013. Monuments to Extinction: a chronicle at once personal and historical. In: CHRIS ALDHOUS, ed., Ghosts of Gone Birds: resurrecting lost species through art Bloomsbury, London. Chapter 10, Still Voices, Distant Lives
  • ROBERT LAMBERT, 2012. Therapy of the Green Leaf: the development of forest and woodland recreation in twentieth century Britain. In: IAN ROTHERHAM, MELVYN JONES and CHRISTINE HANDLEY, eds., Working and Walking in the Footsteps of Ghosts: Wooded Landscapes 2nd Edition. Chapter 5. Wildtrack Publishing, Sheffield. 103-117
  • ID ROTHERHAM & R A LAMBERT, 2011. Good Science, Good History, and Pragmatism: managing the way ahead. In: ROTHERHAM & LAMBERT, ed., Invasive and Introduced Plants and Animals Earthscan Publishing, London. 355-366
  • LAMBERT, R.A., 2011. Strangers in a familiar land: the return of the native 'aliens' and the (re)wilding of Britain's skies, 1850-2010. In: ROTHERHAM, I.D. and LAMBERT, R.A., eds., Invasive and introduced plants and animals: human perceptions, attitudes and approaches to management Earthscan. 169-183
  • ID ROTHERHAM & R A LAMBERT, 2011. Balancing Species History, Human Culture and Scientific Insight: introduction and overview. In: ROTHERHAM & LAMBERT, ed., Invasive and Introduced Plants and Animals Earthscan Publishing, London. 3-18
  • ROTHERHAM, I.D. and LAMBERT, R.A., eds., 2011. Invasive and introduced plants and animals: human perceptions, attitudes and approaches to management Earthscan.
  • LAMBERT, R.A. & MOSS, S., 2011. British Wildlife: commercial opportunities BBC Natural History Unit/BBC Delivering Quality First Group.
  • LAMBERT, R.A. & MOSS, S. & BOULTON, N.J., 2011. The Global Wildlife Tourism Industry: a snapshot in 2011 BBC Natural History Unit/BBC Delivering Quality First Group.
  • LAMBERT,R.A., 2009. Editorial Environment and History. 15(4), 411-422
  • LAMBERT, R.A., 2009. IAATO Observer Report for ship MV Discovery and cruise ship company Voyages of Discovery International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators.
  • LAMBERT, R., 2008. Nature, Landscape and People: an interview with Dr Robert Lambert Limina: a journal of historical and cultural studies. 14, 1-11
  • LAMBERT, R., 2008. IAATO Observer Report for ship MV Artemis and cruise ship company P&O International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO).
  • LAMBERT, R.A, 2007. 'Observing' Sustainable Tourism in Antarctica: the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators' Observer Scheme Christel DeHaan Tourism and Travel Research Institute Discussion Papers. 1-14
  • LAMBERT, R.A., 2005. Trees and People: tracing the early provision of forest and woodland recreation in twentieth century Britain Christel DeHaan Tourism and Travel Research Institute Discussion Papers. 1-32
  • LAMBERT, R., 2005. IAATO Observer Report for vessel MV Ushuaia and tour company ANTARPPLY S.A. International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO).
  • WINIWARTER, V., ARMIERO, M., VAN DAM, P., DIX, A., ELIASSON, P., HOLM, P., JELECEK, L., LAMBERT, R. A., MASSARD-GUILBAUD, G. and DE MOLINA, M. G., 2004. Environmental History in Europe from 1994 to 2004: enthusiasm and consolidation Environment and History. 10(4), 501-530
  • LAMBERT, R.A., 2003. Seabird Control and Fishery Protection in Cornwall, 1900-1950 British Birds: incorporating The Zoologist. 96(1), 30-34
  • LAMBERT,R.A., 2003. Leisure and Recreation. In: COOKE, A., DONNACHIE, I., MACSWEEN, A. and WHATLEY, C.A., eds., Modern Scottish history, 1707 to the present: Volume 2: The Modernisation of Scotland, 1850 to the present 2nd ed. 2. Tuckwell Press, East Linton. 257-276
  • ROBERT LAMBERT, 2003. Therapy of the Green Leaf: the development of forest and woodland recreation in twentieth century Britain. In: IAN ROTHERHAM, MELVYN JONES and CHRISTINE HANDLEY, eds., Working and Walking in the Footsteps of Ghosts: Wooded Landscapes Volume 1 1st. Chapter 5. Wildtrack Publishing, Sheffield. 103-117
  • LAMBERT, R.A., 2002. The Grey Seal in Britain: a twentieth century history of a nature conservation success Environment and History. 8(4), 449-474
  • LAMBERT, R.A., 2001. Contested Mountains: Nature, Development and Environment in the Cairngorms region of Scotland, 1880-1980 Cambridge: White Horse Press.
  • LAMBERT, R.A., 2001. A Hostile Environment: the National Trust for Scotland, the Cairngorm Trust and early ski developments in the Cairngorm mountains, 1961-1967 Northern Scotland. 21, 99-120
  • LAMBERT, R.A., 2001. Grey Seals: to cull or not to cull? History Today. 51(6), 30-32
  • LAMBERT, R., 2001. Grey Seals and Humans. In: Leverhulme Trust Newsletter 5. 6
  • LAMBERT, R., 2001. Predatory Bird Control and Fishery Protection in Cornwall and on the Isles of Scilly in the First Half of the Twentieth Century. In: Isles of Scilly Natural History Review 2001 154-157
  • LAMBERT, R.A., 2000. Conservation, Recreation and Tourism: Craigellachie National Nature Reserve, Aviemore, 1950-1980 Northern Scotland. 20, 113-124
  • LAMBERT, R.A., 2000. In Praise of Mountains and the Freedom to Roam: some mountaineering songs and verse from the Cairngorms, 1850-1960. In: COWAN, E.J., ed., The Ballad in Scottish History East Linton : Tuckwell Press. 161-177
  • LAMBERT, R., 2000. Grey Seals on Scilly Isles of Scilly Natural History Review 2000. 186-187
  • LAMBERT, R.A., 1999. In Search of Nature, Sport and Wilderness: the visitor to Rothiemurchus, 1770-2000. In: LAMBERT, R.A. & SMOUT, T.C., ed., Rothiemurchus: Nature and People on a Highland Estate, 1500-2000 Dalkeith: Scottish Cultural Press. 32-59
  • LAMBERT, R.A. and SMOUT, T.C., 1999. Rothiemurchus: Nature and People on a Highland Estate, 1500-2000 Dalkeith : Scottish Cultural Press.
  • LAMBERT, R., 1999. The Institute for Environmental History. In: University of St. Andrews Alumnus Chronicle 1999 52
  • LAMBERT, RA, 1998. From Exploitation to Extinction to Environmental Icon: our images of the Great Auk. In: LAMBERT, RA, ed., Species History in Scotland: Introductions and Extinctions since the Ice Age Scottish Cultural Press. 20-37
  • LAMBERT, RA, 1998. Proposals to Extend the Range of the Crested Tit in Scotland, 1945-1955 Scottish Birds. 19(5), 304-305
  • LAMBERT, R.A., 1998. Species History in Scotland : Introductions and Extinctions since the Ice Age Edinburgh : Scottish Cultural Press.
  • CALVERT,D. and LAMBERT,R.A., 1997. A Highland Hotel Venture: the case of the Doune of Rothiemurchus, 1935-1942 Northern Scotland. 17, 153-172
  • LAMBERT, RA, 1997. Preserving a Remnant of the Old Natural Forest: the joint venture of the NTS and RSFS in the mid-1930s Scottish Forestry. 51(1), 31-33
  • LAMBERT, RA, 1996. Strathspey and Reel: photography and the Cairngorms Inferno: St Andrews Journal of Art History. 3, 68-81
  • SMOUT, TC & BARROW, GWS & LAMBERT, RA, 1996. History and Culture. In: BAYFIELD, NG & CONROY, JWH, ed., The Cairngorms Assets The Cairngorms Partnership. 315-349

Department of History

University of Nottingham
University Park
Nottingham, NG7 2RD

Contact details
Twitter