Stephen joined BioSS in 2025 as an Ecological Statistician and is part of the Offshore Renewables Group working on long-term research projects to investigate the impacts of offshore wind developments on seabirds.

Stephen previously completed two postdoctoral researcher positions; at Aberdeen University he studied how parasites can drive the evolution of seasonal migration, and at the Royal Veterinary College he studied the role of wild birds in the transmission of avian influenza (HPAI) into poultry farms. Stephen completed his PhD at the University of East Anglia in 2022, where he focussed on mechanisms of distributional change in seasonal migrants. 

Stephen is a BTO licensed bird ringing trainer and is on the BTO ringing committee and ringing standards select committee.