UCT's latest A-rated researcher

Professor Peter Ryan, director of the Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, is the latest UCT researcher to receive the coveted A rating from the National Research Foundation (NRF).

 A-rated researchers are recognised by their peers – through the NRF rating system – as leading international scholars in their field.

Ryan’s research interests focus on the understanding and management of environmental issues that affect birds. This includes plastic pollution at sea, island restoration, the impact of fisheries on seabirds and the effects of infrastructure on land birds.

To date, Ryan has written more than 300 peer-reviewed papers and 12 popular books on birds and the wildlife of sub-Antarctic islands.

“It’s a great honour that reflects the hard work of the entire Fitz team, especially our students and postdocs, and is largely thanks to the generous support we receive as a Centre of Excellence from the Department of Science and Technology through the National Research Foundation,” says Ryan.

His rating brings UCT’s total number of A-rated researchers to 40, the highest in South Africa.