Our mission.
PHIRA-Science is the Pollinator Health International Research Association, and was set up in 2023 as a non-profit organisation dedicated to improving the health of pollinators globally through robust scientific research.
Global pollinator decline
Pollinators across the globe are in decline and face an increasing number of threats from factors such as climate change, agricultural intensification and the increase in global trade spreading pests and diseases to new areas. Pollinators are vital to our food security, biodiversity and habitat preservation. Many people from around the world, often from poorer regions, rely on pollinators for food production and economic sustainability. Now, more than ever, it is vitally important to protect our pollinators and find novel ways to tackle these issues.
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Its not just about bees...
Bees and honey bees in particular are often thought of as the only pollinators but many species of flies, beetles, butterflies and moths, mammals and birds are also important pollinators around the world. These species face the same threats as bees but their plight often get overlooked.
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PHIRA-Science utilises robust scientific research to promote pollinator health and biodiversity. Our research focuses on
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parasite and disease transmission, detection and control,
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nutritional resources for pollinators,
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monitoring environmental contamination through pollinators.
We strive to enable those that rely on pollinators to work sustainably by helping to implement practical solutions on the ground while promoting pollinator health and security.
Our founder
Maggie Gill is a senior scientist working for the UK government in Defra (Department for the Environment Food and Rural Affairs), focused on environmental land management and the future farming and countryside programme. Maggie spent 10 years working for the National Bee Unit, as a Seasonal Bee Inspector and as the Regional Bee Inspector for Wales.
A passion for bees and the environment has inspired Maggie to pursue science. With a BSc honours degree in Natural Science and an MSc in Entomology Maggie has worked with universities, government departments and research institutes in Europe, North America and Asia.
Maggie's concern for pollinator health inspired her to found PHIRA-Science. Her aim is to improve pollinator health and sustainability by building a network of likeminded scientists, raising funds to facilitate research and working with communities to improve pollinator health and security through practical solutions.