I am a postdoctoral researcher in environmental social science at the University of Oxford’s Environmental Change Institute, based in the School of Geography and the Environment. My research explores the governance and equity dimensions of nature-based solutions and nature recovery. I am currently working with the Nature-Based Solutions Initiative (part of the Agile Initiative) on a fast-paced, solution-focused project that looks at scaling-up nature-based solutions in the UK. I am developing this work in the longer term as part of the Leverhulme Centre of Nature Recovery, which will include a focus on advancing participatory processes for more sustainable and equitable outcomes.
Alongside my research, I supervise Master’s degree dissertations and PhD research internships on issues related to geography and the environment, particularly those that seek to actively engage with non-academic stakeholders and affected/interested communities.
I completed my PhD in 2022 on public and stakeholder engagement in environmental decision-making, which was carried out at the Countryside and Community Research Institute (CCRI) at the University of Gloucestershire. My thesis, which is available to download here, explored practitioners’ perspectives on the challenges and opportunities for engagement in the digital age, focusing on digital tools for engagement and institutionalising best practice. You can learn more about my PhD here.
My previous work has included producing evidence-led outputs to support best practice engagement in Natural England (view the published report here), and providing expert advice for Defra‘s recent review of public engagement. I have also conducted research for the Welsh Government on national indicators for wellbeing using the National Survey for Wales. I have worked on a variety of research contracts funded by Natural England, Defra, NICRE, and Innovate UK, working in collaboration with a range of organisations in the environment and planning sectors. You can read more about my research projects here.