John Poulsen
Global Director of Science Capacity and Deputy Director of One Conservancy Science
Boulder, CO
John Poulsen John Poulsen is the Global Director of Science Capacity and Deputy Director of One Conservancy Science at The Nature Conservancy. © TNC
Areas of Expertise
Science capacity building, ecology, conservation, tropical forests and wildlife
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Biography
John Poulsen is the Global Director of Science Capacity and Deputy Director of One Conservancy Science at The Nature Conservancy, where he helps shape and support the organization’s global science strategy. He leads enterprise efforts to build scientific capacity across business units by providing training, tools, funding and knowledge resources that advance conservation outcomes, with a growing focus on applying AI and other technologies to science and conservation practice.
A conservation scientist with more than 130 peer-reviewed publications, John brings over 20 years of experience working at the interface of science and practice. His research has focused on Central Africa and addresses how wildlife loss, land use and human activities influence ecosystem function, carbon storage and human well-being.
Before joining TNC, John was a professor at Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment. He has also led conservation programs in the Republic of Congo with the Wildlife Conservation Society and advised the Government of Gabon on climate policy, including the development of its national forest inventory, in collaboration with USAID and the US Forest Service.
John is deeply committed to building scientific capacity globally and has co-created a master’s training program for Central African scientists focused on forest ecology and conservation. John is currently a member of the Science for Nature and People Partnership (SNAPP) board and an adjunct professor at the University of Colorado, Boulder and Duke University. He holds a PhD from the University of Florida and a master’s degree from San Francisco State University.