Welcome!

Hello!

I am a PhD candidate at the University of Canterbury, investigating the role social identity plays in participation of community food initiatives. Exploring factors that drive motivation and dedication to such projects could pave the way to understanding how to nurture a sense of social identity linked to sustainable food production.

As a trained secondary science teacher, I am interested in integrating food-growing skills into the curriculum to re-establish a connection with the land and where food comes from, promote healthier dietary choices, address food insecurity, and ultimately reduce the impact our current food systems have on the environment.

Additionally, I serve as a Lecturer for teacher education courses, Sustainability and Social Justice, Exploring Science and Technology through Collaborative Design, and Weaving the Curriculum: Science and Technology at the University of Canterbury. I am also a Tutor for the undergraduate course, Human Behaviour and Human Systems.

Research

My doctoral research comprises three distinct studies, each examining a crucial stakeholder in sustainable food systems: pre-service teachers, entrepreneurs and community gardeners. My research takes a social identity approach in understanding how interest and motivation for participating in community food projects is nurtured, and how social identity evolves through participation. Understanding the role social identity plays in community food project participation, could help us discover ways to encourage future participation within an educational setting.

Sowing the Seeds of Pre-service Teachers' Food-growing Identity

Although school gardens are often found in schools today, many are underused. Literature shows that teachers lack the confidence to teach in school gardens, due to a lack of pedagogical knowledge in using gardens as a resource.

This study investigates how pre-service teachers food-growing identity evolves through participation in community garden workshops.

The Role of Entrepreneurs in Local Food Systems

Local food systems, with their shorter supply chains and community cohesion, have been shown to be more resilient in times of natural disaster than food systems with long, complex food chains. Yet, local food businesses do not get the support needed and can be short lived ventures.

Local food-based entrepreneurs often have many roles in their business and this study aims to understand the role identity plays in the creation and management of food-based businesses.

Community Garden Dynamics through a Social Identity Lens

Community gardens provide a valuable resource for the community by providing nourishing food and social benefits. However, community gardens are heavily reliant on volunteers and are often short-term endeavours, closing from lack of support, funding and volunteers.

This study aims to understand community garden dynamics and how identities evolve through participation, by using a social identity approach.

Resume

Work

The University of Canterbury

• Science Lecturer

Sustainability and Social Justice

Exploring Science and Technology through Collaborative Design

Weaving the Curriculum: Science and Technology

• Human development tutor

• Research assistant in Education

• Marker for postgraduate research methodologies

• Food-growing pedagogy lecturer

• Marker for Environmental Business

Great Torrington School

• Secondary Science Teacher

South Molton Community College

• Relief Secondary Science Teacher

• Secondary Science Teacher Trainee

Holsworthy Community College

• Secondary Science Teacher Trainee

ESOL & EFL Teaching

• English First

• Freelance