Ben Williams
Curriculum Vitae
- 2022–Present: Reef Conservation UK Committee member
- 2021–Present: PhD Researcher, Fisheries Society of the British Isles, Institute of Zoology and University College London
- 2020–2021: Research associate, University of Exeter
- 2019–2020: MbyRes, thesis - Advancing tropical reef soundscape ecology with low-cost recorders and machine learning, University of Exeter
- 2015–2019: BSc in Biological Sciences with Study abroad, University of Exeter
- 2014–2015: Laboratory Technician, Scientific Analysis Ltd
Research Interests
My research focuses on ways we can support tropical reef conservation and restoration with artificial intelligence. Previously I have led and supported work that focuses on bioacoustic monitoring of reef habitats through the development of low-cost recording technology and machine learning driven analysis. I am most interested in research that looks to deliver solutions to the myriad problems facing tropical reefs and other ecosystems, particularly efforts to restore habitats. I’m also interested in ways we can communicate this science to broad audiences to raise awareness of marine conservation challenges.
Current Research
The first component of my PhD has further progressed my contributions to the field of reef soundscape ecology. This has included trailing analytical approaches at the cutting edge of machine learning through leveraging deep learning and high performance computing. I have subsequently commenced work that will use these advancements to support the monitoring of reef restoration. This will use the novel Hydromoth recorder I helped co-develop and a global community of reef restoration practitioners through my PhD partner Mars and their buildingcoral.com project. After my initial data collection phase in Indonesia, the remainder of this project will involve remotely managing of data collection in a model that increases involvement of local partners.
Future work will include further ways restoration projects such as these can track the progress of their reefs. This will contribute advancements using computer vision to develop tools that can be used to make rapid ecological assessments.
Supervisors
Professor Kate Jones, University College London
Dr David Curnick, Institute of Zoology
Professor Steve Simpson, University of Bristol
Publications
Williams, B., Lamont, T.A., Chapuis, L., Harding, H.R., May, E.B., Prasetya, M.E., Seraphim, M.J., Jompa, J., Smith, D.J., Janetski, N. and Radford, A.N., 2022. Enhancing automated analysis of marine soundscapes using ecoacoustic indices and machine learning. Ecological Indicators, 140: 108986. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2022.108986
Lamont, T.A., Chapuis, L., Williams, B., Dines, S., Gridley, T., Frainer, G., Fearey, J., Maulana, P.B., Prasetya, M.E., Jompa, J. and Smith, D.J., 2022. HydroMoth: Testing a prototype low‐cost acoustic recorder for aquatic environments. Remote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation. doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/rse2.249
Lamont, T.A., Williams, B., Chapuis, L., Prasetya, M.E., Seraphim, M.J., Harding, H.R., May, E.B., Janetski, N., Jompa, J., Smith, D.J. and Radford, A.N., 2022. The sound of recovery: Coral reef restoration success is detectable in the soundscape. Journal of Applied Ecology, 54: 742-756. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.14089
Chapuis, L., Williams, B., Gordon, T.A. and Simpson, S.D. Low-cost action cameras offer potential for widespread acoustic monitoring of marine ecosystems. 2021. Ecological Indicators. 129: 107957. doi: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2021.107957
Mahesh, R., Saravanakumar, A., Thangaradjou, T., Solanki, H.U., Raman, M. and Williams, B. Seasonal and spatial variations of mesozooplankton energy transfer efficiency determined using remotely sensed SST and Chl-a in the Bay of Bengal. Regional Studies in Marine Science. 2020. 40: 101482. doi: 10.1016/j.rsma.2020.101482
Media highlights
Wall Street Journal | The Future of Everything | Why Sound Could be Key to the Future of Coral Reefs (Podcast, Sep 2022)
Forbes | How AI Can Assist In Coral Reef Restoration (Online, May 2022)
The Times | Reef ‘symphonies’ provide signal to coral health — with help from AI (Newspaper, May 2022)
Reuters | Crackling or desolate?: AI trained to hear coral's sounds of life (Online video, May 2022)
South China Morning Post | Scientists keep an ear on coral reef health by monitoring ocean sounds off Indonesian coast (Online video, June 2022)
3sat | Nano | Talkative fish (TV, Feb 2022)
The Guardian | Listen to the fish sing: scientists record ‘mind-blowing’ noises of restored coral reef (Newspaper, Dec 2021)
BBC | Local radio: NEWCASTLE Live, 3CR Live, WM Live, H&W Live, BERKSHIRE Live (Dec 2021)
The World US public radio | Reef acoustics (Radio, Dec, 2021)
The Times Radio | John Pienaar (Dec 2021)
BBC | Fish ‘whoops and growls’ recorded on restored reef (Online, Dec 2021)
National Geographic | Five reasons why our coral reefs have hope (Online, Dec 2021)
FM4 Austria | ORF-Radiothek | Marine soundscapes: the voices of a coral reef (Radio, Aug 2021)
Invited Blog posts
The soundscapes of restored reefs
Reefs don’t just look better after restoration – they also sound healthier
Studying coral reef soundscapes with new kit and new questions
Studying Reef Soundscapes During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Fashion’s Impact on the Marine Environment
Investigating coral reef acoustics to aid reef restoration