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.
​
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.
​
PHIRA-Science utilises robust scientific research to promote pollinator health and biodiversity. Our research focuses on
-
parasite and disease transmission, detection and control,
-
nutritional resources for pollinators,
-
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
PHIRA-Science was founded by Maggie Gill to support applied, independent research grounded in real-world pollination systems. A beekeeper for more than twenty years and an entomologist, Maggie works at the boundary between practice and research, where critical but underexplored questions often arise.
She established PHIRA-Science in response to the gap between academic research and the complex realities faced by beekeepers, land managers, and those responsible for pollination security. Many challenges facing pollinators - including emerging pests and diseases, nutritional stress, and interacting environmental pressures - require flexible, responsive research rooted in field experience.
Maggie’s work through PHIRA-Science focuses on honey bee health, pollinator nutrition, pests and diseases, and pollination system resilience. She collaborates internationally with universities, research institutes, government bodies, and practitioner communities, integrating robust experimental design with on-the-ground observation. She is recognised as a world leader in Tropilaelaps research, and is widely respected by beekeepers for producing science that reflects field realities. Alongside PHIRA-Science, Maggie is a Senior Scientist at Defra, where her work focuses on environmental land management and agri-environment schemes.
Extensionist science is central to her approach. Maggie prioritises knowledge exchange, co-developed research, and clear communication to ensure findings inform action and support those working directly with pollinators.
Dan Etheridge is a Senior Researcher and recognised technical lead at PHIRA-Science, internationally known for his work on Tropilaelaps and the invasive Yellow-legged hornet (Vespa velutina).
He has over 12 years’ experience with the UK Government’s National Bee Unit, including five years as a Senior Bee Inspector leading inspection teams across central England. Dan also works with the University of Oxford as a Research Technician and Apiary Manager, supporting applied research in honey bee health.
Dan has extensive field experience in honey bee diseases, pests, parasites, and biosecurity, and has played a key role in the UK’s national response to Vespa velutina since its arrival in 2016. His work includes the development of effective nest-tracking strategies and nest destruction techniques.
At PHIRA-Science, Dan is responsible for planning, training, diagnostic support, and stakeholder engagement. He works closely with government agencies, research partners, and beekeeper organisations to strengthen early detection, improve response protocols, and promote best practice.
He is widely respected for his practical expertise and for delivering clear, evidence-based guidance to beekeepers, inspectors, and industry professionals in the UK and internationally.
