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Dr Philip Donkersley

Dr Philip Donkersley – Co-Founder and Bee Expert

Dr Philip Donkersley is an evolutionary ecologist with a deep passion for bees and pollinators. With a PhD from Lancaster University in 2014, focusing on honeybees, his research has taken him across the globe—including Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, Tanzania, the UK, and Europe—studying insect ecology, pollination, and conservation. His extensive experience working in diverse ecosystems has given him unique insights into the challenges bees face worldwide.

Since 2017, Philip has dedicated his work to bumblebees, exploring their ecology, evolution, behaviour, and the threats posed by climate change, habitat loss, and human activities. His research has been instrumental in understanding how different environmental factors impact bee populations and what can be done to support their survival. In 2020, he joined forces with Jenny Roberts to develop BeeBox, bringing his scientific expertise and unwavering commitment to bee welfare to the forefront of the project.

Philip’s guiding principle in BeeBox development has always been simple yet vital: “What is best for the bees?”. His deep understanding of their needs ensures that BeeBox is designed not just for efficiency but for the health, safety, and sustainability of bee populations worldwide. By integrating science with practical solutions, Philip continues to champion the cause of protecting pollinators for future generations.

Jenny Roberts

Jenny Roberts - Co-Founder and Engineer

Jenny is a Chartered Engineer and lecturer in mechanical engineering. Her prior industrial career in engineering product design has spanned consumer product design, consultancy and infrastructure resilience monitoring, with a key focus on improving people’s lives and the environment.

Since 2020, Jenny has been developing Beebox from an engineering perspective, ensuring her customers (the bees!) have a suitable environment to support colony establishment and longevity. Jenny is also a part-time PhD student, researching how engineering approaches can be used to support pollinators and how pollinator products can be used for engineering applications.

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