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