Get to know me!

Hello! I am a PhD candidate at the University of Canterbury researching the role social identity plays in community food project participation. As a transdisciplinary researcher, my research spans multiple disciplines and my research interests include sustainable food systems, environmental education, social identity theory, food security, science education, beneficial insects and more recently artificial intelligence.

My earlier research focussed on hobbyist beekeepers and their contribution to British food security. This master's research used an economics approach to quantifying the value of the service that bees kept by hobbyist beekeepers provide to crop production by way of pollination. Through a nationwide survey and conversations with beekeepers, my research also investigated ways hobbyist beekeepers could be supported.

Prior to my PhD journey, I trained as a Secondary Science Teacher, which is where I became increasingly interested in how to make science education more engaging and inclusive. I am also passionate about embedding food-growing into all areas of the curriculum, to bring learning back to the land, encourage healthy food choices, reduce food insecurity and nurture behaviours that favour sustainable food systems.

In addition to land-based environmental issues, I am also interested in marine conservation and education. While working at Big Blue Conservation in Thailand, a charitable organisation on the island of Koh Tao, I participated in a number of conservation activities such as building coral nurseries, managing Drupella snails and monitoring the coral reef. I was also on the organising committee for the inaugural Swim for Sharks, a charitable event that raises awareness about shark conservation, which has since grown into an international endeavour, with annual events happening across the globe.