Emily Cunningham awarded MBE in New Year Honours List
Emily, an Honorary Associate Research Fellow at the University of Exeter, has worked at the frontline of ocean conservation for over a decade
Emily Cunningham has been awarded an MBE in the King’s New Year Honours List for services to marine conservation and coastal communities.
Emily, an Honorary Associate Research Fellow at the University of Exeter, has worked at the frontline of ocean conservation for over a decade, both in the UK and overseas. She has led the development of two pioneering coastal conservation projects – securing over £5m in funding, served on the Board of the UK’s leading marine conservation organisation, and was named a Global 30 under 30 Environmental Leader in 2020.
Emily says “I’m truly honoured to be awarded an MBE for my services to marine conservation and coastal communities. Marine conservation is more than just my job, it has been my life, passion and mission for more than 20 years. It can be a tough and thankless task given the scale of the challenges facing our ocean, so to be recognised in this way means the world!”
“Saving the ocean is all I’ve ever wanted to do. Most little girls outgrow their dreams of becoming a marine biologist – and plenty of people told me it wasn’t a realistic aspiration for a state-schooled working class girl from Staffordshire! – but I’m so glad I chased my dreams.”
“It’s a privilege to be part of the world-leading ecology and conservation research community here at the University of Exeter.”
Emily currently leads WWF’s global river dolphin conservation initiative and has research interests in the ecology and conservation of both marine and freshwater cetaceans. Her work has taken her from Antarctica to the Amazon, and she has exciting expeditions and projects planned for 2025; to learn more or get involved, follow her on Instagram and Facebook or visit www.emilycunningham.co.uk.
