Lecturer in Rural Planning and Environmental Assessment

Currently teaching on Environmental Management and Wildlife Conservation Management streams, across a variety of topics (see those listed below). I have a real desire to accomodate for all learning styles, and a passion for flipped classrooms, my delivery of materials in an active and blended manner allows all students to feel engaged with deeper learning and discussion. On top of a full teaching contract, research across green and blue infrastructure spaces is also a really important part of my worklife (see research topics below).

Prior to this post, my PhD study examined the relationship between natural environments in urban spaces and the link to health and wellbeing improvements, including physical and mental indicators (blood sampling, physical activity and psychology). I also have a master’s degree (MSc) in Environmental Sustainability from the University of Edinburgh, and a Bachelors of Science in Sustainable Environmental Management, from Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) which is awarded by The University of Edinburgh.

I am currently module lead and independantly teaching on several modules including: 

• Planning and Development (year 1)
• Professional Software Applications (year 1)
• Rural Land Use (cross programmes, environment and business, year 1)
• Environmental Management Systems (year 2)
• Graded Unit 3 (year 2)
• Rural Planning and Environmental Assessment (year 3)
• Action for Biodiversity (year 4, team taught)
• Alongside supervising a number of Honours and Masters students across topics of community gardening, food security, blue infrastructure, socio-environmental injustice, just energy transitions, carbon management, environmental education and behaviour change. 

Previous modules where I was module lead include: 

• Ecology and Ecosystems (year 1)
• Environmental Awareness (year 1)
• Biodiversity Conservation (year 1)
• Biology (year 1)
• Conservation Site Management (year 3)

In 2023 - 24, I was part of the cross-campus group fomulated to make our courses SEEDABLE (Sustainable, Active and Blended and Enterprising), and in 2025 will be involved in revalidation. In 2024, I also took on the role of coordinating materials across campus, and programmes, for external validation by the examiner. 

Also holding an Associate Fellowship from the Higher Education Academy and awarded a PGCert in Tertiary and Higher Education (with Distinction). Prior to this institution I taught across Human Geography, Wildlife and Archeology streams at the University of Salford. 

Current research work:

• In partnership with the British Science Association on the Community Buddies programme  (£4,000). Written the grant to work with the Senior Milan Welfare Association, allowing co-development of a package to engage with older adults in gardening and learning about wider science topics. 
• Alongside undertaking a supportive role in a qualitative research project about use of coastal landscapes.

Research interests: 

My research interests are multi-disciplinary and surround the broad area of sustainable environments, with a focus on community empowerment and public health. Specialising in the use of Qualitative research (through co-development of surveys, interviews, and focus groups), but also linking out to specific quantatitive methods (through Q-sorts and SROI).  I am particularly interested in aspects of:

• Human-environment interactions 
  • Health and wellbeing changes arising from environments
  • The adoption and validity of social prescriptions
  • Conservation opportunities arising from planning/green infrastructure
• Socio-environmental issues
  • Behaviour change for sustainability
  • Social cohesion
  • Reducing inequalities, empowerment and activism
• Improving access to knowledge on green environments
• Planning for sustainable cities (bridging the gap to rural, assessment and 20 minute neighbourhoods)
• Methodological innovations across geography

Previous research projects: 

• Peel Land and Property Research Grant
  • Co-Principle Investigator (Co-PI), with £52,000 to lead data collection across Social Value and Investment,
• Seedcorn Funding Grant, The University of Manchester
  • Co-Principle Investigator (Co-PI), gaining a research grant (approx £3,00) to lead data collection across the concept of 'Ageism in the pandemic', focusing on the vaccination programme roll-out.