Susie Smith, PhD, Director of Field Research, North American Avian Discovery Institute
Amelia Finchwood, PhD, is a fictional field researcher and lifelong bird-watching enthusiast who has spent more than two decades studying how ordinary people can become better observers of the natural world. As Director of Field Research at the fictional North American Avian Discovery Institute, she develops approachable methods for identifying bird behavior, finding overlooked habitats, and documenting sightings without disrupting wildlife. Her favorite field assignments involve convincing skeptical beginners that extraordinary birds can be found surprisingly close to home. When she isn’t peering through binoculars, Amelia can usually be found cataloging field notes, testing unnecessarily elaborate thermoses, or attempting to photograph the one bird that refuses to sit still.