Gemma Foster

Gemma's research focuses on biodiversity in agro-ecosystems and urban growing spaces including domestic gardens and allotments. Her recent research has focused on bumblebees, although she has a general interest in insect diversity.

Gemma also has a broad interest in organic growing, issues surrounding food security, and the health and social benefits offered by involvement in allotments and community growing projects. Gemma has worked on a range of projects, including a RELU project investigating the effect of biomass crops on plant and insect diversity, an EU project exploring the benefits of Short Food Chains, and NIAB organic vegetable variety trials. She has also managed a range of citizen science projects.

Gemma also has practical horticultural experience and has worked on organic farms in the UK and South America. She is also interested in organic growing, local food systems, food security, and the health and social benefits associated with growing vegetables.

Her Masters research project was entitled: The effects of anti-parasitic drug residues in cattle faeces on invertebrate diversity in UK farmland.

Vision Statement:

My research is inspired by my interest in the natural world, and the impact that humans have on the environment through agriculture. In particular I am interested in developing ways of maintaining and enhancing biodiversity in agroecosystems, and on allotments and in gardens used for food production.

Areas of Expertise:

Plant identification, Insect identification, Citizen science