Join us as a
Volunteer
and have the experience of a lifetime
Work on a project led by an internationally renowned team of bat scientists.
ABC is led and founded by Dr Emma Stone, an expert bat scientist from the University of Bath UK. Emma leads the Bat Conservation and Research Lab at the University of Bath at the Milner Centre for Evolution and completed her her PhD and post doctoral research on bats at the University of Bristol Bat Lab.
Emma has published in high impact journals on the effectiveness of bat licensing in England, mitigation of human bat conflict using radar and lighting, impacts of roost exclusions on bats, and impacts of lighting on bats. Emma has Class 4 Bat License and can act as a sponsor for UK bat license applications.
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We offer a unique opportunity to work on an existing research project, alongside established research scientists and assist in applied conservation research and community conservation.
Experience the bush, city or lake
You have a choice of camps with ABC from city to bush and lakeshore, all giving you a diverse range of bat research and conservation experience, and also a chance to explore the diversity of culture and environment that Malawi is famous for.
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Head on over to our research camps page to take a virtual tour of our field sites.
DEVELOP YOUR SKILLS
With ABC you will have the opportunity to gain many new skills including field research techniques such as bat mist netting, bat handling, wing punch sampling, acoustic surveys, emergence counts, mitigation work, endoscope work, internal roost surveys, insect trapping & pinning, vegetation surveys and radio tracking (only at certain times of year).
You can also gain lab based skills including acoustic identification of bats, call analysis and GIS.
Take a virtual tour of what you can experience from our Urban Research Camp
WHAT VOLUNTEERS SAY
Remi
"After 4 weeks with ABC, I was able to gain confidence in my bat handling techniques. I felt comfortable processing bats and have gained skills that will contribute to my career"
Dan
"The volume of biodiversity within and around the city of Lilongwe is incredible! The Urban Research Camp is a riot of birdsong and raucous chattering from the resident vervet monkeys."
Gwen
"I've been able to help out with a range of surveys including roost visits, emergence surveys, hand netting, mist netting and harp trapping! It has been amazing getting to handle new species!"
Interested? Here's how to apply
1. Download our volunteer pack for more
information.
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2. Complete the application form.
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3. Email us to confirm your placement.
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We will then contact you to confirm receipt of your application, confirm dates and costs and send you a detailed volunteer pack to give you all the extra information you need before arriving.
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Of course feel free to email us with any questions volunteer@africanbatconservation.org