With a background in organic horticulture, Judith came to research inspired to seek practical solutions which strengthen the resilience of cultivated ecosystems. She has a particular interest in the phase out of contentious inputs from certified organic systems, to bring them closer to the movement’s founding principle of ecology.

Judith has extensive experience of collaborative European research, delivering projects such as TRUE, AE4EU, PLANET4B and AGROECOLOGY Partnership. She project managed Organic-PLUS and continues this work with farmers and wider society on phasing out contentious inputs in SCALE-it. In WINN-ORGANIC, Judith is working with local organic producers to explore novel technologies that improve access to and procurement of organic food.

Working alongside farmers, growers and home gardeners, Judith engages in coproduced research of practicable alternatives to inputs such as plastics and peat. She has worked on living lab methodology and is coordinator of Coventry Agroecological Living Lab (CALL); local growers working to improve climate resilience through crop diversification, most recently with high-protein crops. Judith is enthusiastic about pollinators, contributing to bumblebee identification and recording app Blooms for Bees and has also worked on research around ornamental plants at risk of becoming invasive.

Biodiverse agroecosystems: - agroforestry, pollinators, polyculture

Contentious inputs: - peat, plastic, plant protection, soil fertility

Engaged science: - working with practitioners, citizens and industry

Underutilised crops: - heritage varieties, legumes, soft fruit

Food is all-encompassing, central to our health, culture, rituals and connection with nature, and should be a source of joy. Whilst many of our global food problems require a political resolution, I am determined that we can also work to devise practical remedies which utilise traditional knowledge, combined with the appropriate application of available technologies.