CCO | Eden Geothermal Limited
Delivering low-carbon heat projects for food production.
After 20 years of growing recurring revenue businesses in the technology sector, Tom is applying his experience to help organisations through the process of building geothermal projects from conception to execution.
Research Associate | Scotland's Rural College (SRUC)
Policy and economics and on crop production and livestock farming.
I am an applied economist with a robust academic background and over 18 years of experience in the agri-food sector. Holding a PhD in Economics from West Virginia University, I have developed a keen understanding of the complexities surrounding agricultural practices and their economic implications. My research focuses on biosecurity measures, decision-making under risk, and the adoption of innovative agricultural practices, which make well-equipped to contribute to the AFN Network's mission of addressing key research gaps in the UK agri-food system. My expertise aligns seamlessly with several critical areas of interest for the AFN Network, including policy and economics, livestock farming, and crop production. My work on characterizing farmers' typologies and understanding their preferences for integrated pest management practices demonstrates my ability to bridge the gap between research and practical application. By leveraging my experience in developing agent-based models and applying spatial econometrics, I can provide valuable insights into how technological advancements and policy changes can enhance sustainability and reduce emissions in the agri-food sector. As a member of the AFN Network, I am committed to fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders, including academics, policymakers, and industry professionals. My communication skills and experience in managing research portfolios will enable me to effectively engage with other members and contribute to the development of actionable recommendations. By participating in events and sharing my research findings, I aim to support the Network's goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, ensuring that the needs of the entire agri-food system are met through informed and inclusive decision-making.
Chair in Economic Geography | Newcastle University
Supply chains, AMR, sustainable consumption and production
My research addresses social justice and environmental sustainability challenges in global supply chains. Projects funded by UKRI (ESRC, AHRC, and BBSRC), the British Academy, the Leverhulme Trust, and the Nuffield Foundation over the past 25 years have investigated various aspects of corporate responsibility and sustainable production and consumption in Kenya, South Africa, Malawi, Pakistan, Malaysia, Brazil, China, the UK, and the USA. Studies have addressed challenges associated with labour standards, including forced labour and modern slavery, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), product safety, and environmental sustainability in sectors including food, horticulture, textiles, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Many of the projects have involved interdisciplinary and international collaboration, and partnership with state, commercial, and third sector organizations.
Postgraduate Researcher | Centre for Agroecology Water and Resilience (CAWR), Coventry University
https://pureportal.coventry.ac.uk/en/persons/lamis-jamil
Researcher | Kumasi Center for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine
Food security and consumption
I am a nutritional biochemist interested in food diversity, security and consumption. I am also interested in diet and health. I am a research associate at KCCR, Kumasi, Ghana
Chief Scientific Officer | Foodsteps
Business Development and Marketing Director. | Rwathia Agrofarm
Processing and manufacturing.
Rwathia Agrofarm is a social horticultural, farming, processing and exporting company incorporated in Kenya. Our main products are fresh/frozen avocados, mango and fresh herbs. In addition, the company would offer technical support services and inputs to farmers as credit recoverable from produce supplied. Africa is home to 60% of the world’s arable land. The Company is named after Rwathia village in Murang’a County where avocados were first introduced in Kenya. Murang’a is the biggest producer of avocados in Kenya. Avocado is quickly becoming one of the main commercial crops in Kenya. The tree bearing pear-shaped fruits – originally from Central and South America – now dots many homesteads and farms in the highlands of Kenya, as the humid tropical climate in the area provides ideal growing conditions for avocados to thrive.
Science Lead - Food Security | Associate Professor | Sustainability Director | Met Office | University of Bristol | Food Drink Devon
climate change related work - particularly at the interface between net zero and climate resilience and adaptation
Dr Pete Falloon (FRMetS, FRSA) is the Met Office’s Science Lead – Food Security, and leads the Met Office’s Climate Service for Defra on Food, Farming and Natural Environment. Pete has over 25 years of experience in the impacts of climate and land use change on food systems and the environment. Pete has been at the Met Office Hadley Centre since 2004 and led the Climate Impacts Modelling team from 2009-2019. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, and of the Royal Meteorological Society, a contributing author to the UK’s Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA) and a member of the Global Food Security Programme’s Programme Coordination Group board. Pete is also Associate Professor in Climate Resilient Food Systems at the University of Bristol, Sustainability Director for Food Drink Devon CIC and an Honorary Associate at the Walker Institute.
Postdoctoral Research Assistant | University of Reading, England
Carbon sequestration, Waste recycling and residue management in Agricultural farms, Soil carbon and nutrient Biogeochemistry, Sustainable land management, Greenhouse gas emission measurement, Climate change.
I am a Soil Scientist with expertise in Soil Microbiology and Biogeochemistry and interest in how sustainable soil and land management will enhance food production and reduce greenhouse gas emission, climate change and other negative environmental impact.
Principal - Food and Regenerative Agriculture | Forum For The Future
Projects accelerating the transition to regen within UK and Europe, particularly those looking at market based interventions. Sector specific work in Top Fruit and Dairy sectors. Just transition and equity within supply chains.
Leading UK regen work for Forum, background as a vet, farm consultant, and supply chain sustainability consultant.
Teaching and Research | University of Leicester
Land strategy and sequestration and Systems thinking and modelling Transition to net zero
I have experise in land surface modelling, plant ecophysiology and CO2 flux measurements. I am working with the UK lad model JULES and Eddy Covariance measurements from peatlands in East Anglia to explore pathways to Net Zero in collaboration with stakeholders in the Fens.
Research Fellow | Cranfield University
Working towards a Net Zero future: land management and productivity; sustainable consumption and behaviour change
Cynthia Olumba is a Research Fellow at Cranfield University who is leading Work Package 1 (co-selection and evaluation of nature-based solutions to land degradation on community-managed field plots) of the REAL NBS- Resilience in Eastern African Land: Nature-based Solutions- project. Her research focuses on climate change adaptation and mitigation, gender equality, food security, sustainable land and forest management, sustainable consumption, and green technology. Her work is grounded in several philosophical paradigms, including post-positivism, constructivism, and critical realism. She is proficient in both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, as well as innovative transdisciplinary research approaches aimed at tackling urgent societal and environmental issues. Cynthia has an extensive publication record and has presented her work at numerous national and international conferences and meetings. Cynthia is an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. She has been a Teaching Assistant/Module Leader for various undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, teaching diverse groups of students in developed and developing countries.
