Projects per year
Personal profile
Biography
I have worked for over 30 years on sustainable agriculture and food security applied research and development, specialising in building the capacity and resilience of vulnerable communities to natural and man-made disasters, and regeneration of the natural resource base. Sectoral experience covers production and postharvest, agroforestry, food supply and distribution systems, urban agriculture and nutrition, organic and fair trade, bioregional development, research, extension and knowledge systems, and farmer livelihood strategies. I have institutional experience of the United Nations – FAO, IFAD, WB; the EU; the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) – CIP, ICRAF; UK government departments of DEFRA and DFID; and the private and non-governmental sectors. Specific country experience in Europe – UK, Netherlands and Spain; Central and South America – Peru, Mexico, Cuba, Brazil, Jamaica; Asia – Afghanistan, China, Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia; Africa – Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa. I am currently a Deployable Civilian Expert with DFID’s Stabilisation Unit.
I have a doctorate in Ecological Agriculture, Knowledge Systems and Food Security in Post-Crisis Cuba, from Wageningen University, Wageningen, the Netherlands ( 2005), and am currently Chair of the UK Biodynamic Agriculture Association.
Research Interests
Chiefly: Subtle Agroecologies - farming with the hidden half of nature. This is a new discipline that focuses on the invisible dimension of nature in relation to agriculture. It is exploratory, whilst drawing from indigenous practises as well as those from the biodynamic farming system.
Also: Cuban farming and food systems; Agriculture and human nutrition; Regenerative agriculture and permaculture; Eco-psychology, green ecology and traditional knowledge systems; Stabilisation Agriculture: Building environmental and social resilience to natural and man-made disasters
Vision Statement
Ultimately food and farming research becomes a study of humanity. If we keep at it, and don't let ourselves get stuck on one particular issue or belief, then we are drawn to the bigger existential questions, and also drawn into a deeper connection with nature. As Buckminster Fuller pointed out, the environmental movement only exists as long as we see nature as being separate from ourselves. For once we recognise that our environment is a reflection of, and part of, ourselves, and that it is conscious, then we would treat it very differently. My research vision is to have fun exploring this, with like minded people.
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
Education/Academic qualification
Agriculture, Doctorate, Ecological Agriculture, Knowledge Systems and Food Security in Post-Crisis Cuba, Wageningen University and Research Centre
1 Mar 1998 → 1 May 2005
Award Date: 1 May 2005
Sustainable Agriculture, MSc, Integrated Aquaculture in Southern England, Wye College
1 Sept 1992 → 31 Aug 1993
Award Date: 1 Sept 1993
Land and Water Management, Postgraduate Diploma, Land Resource Planning, Cranfield University
1 Sept 1985 → 1 Jun 1986
Award Date: 1 Jun 1986
Studies in the Rural Environment, Degree, University of Wales Trinity Saint David
1 Sept 1982 → 31 Aug 1985
Award Date: 31 Aug 1985
External positions
Vice Chair of the Board, The Seed Cooperative
Oct 2021 → …
Council Member, Biodynamic Agriculture Association
1 Nov 2016 → …
External Examiner, Schumacher College
1 Sept 2014 → 1 Sept 2016
Board of Trustees, Bioregional Development Group
1 Jan 2012 → 1 Jan 2014
Editorial Committee Member, International Journal for the Study of Cuba
1 Jan 2012 → …
Research Advisory Board Member, Permaculture Association UK
1 Jan 2012 → 2015
Council Member, Writtle University College
1 Jan 2012 → 1 Jan 2014
Keywords
- S Agriculture (General)
- quantum
- GF Human ecology. Anthropogeography
Fingerprint
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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AGROMIX: AGROforestry and MIXed farming systems - Participatory research to drive the transition to a resilient and efficient land use in Europe
Schmutz, U., Dehnen-Schmutz, K., Eden, J., Rayns, F., Van De Wiel, M., Wright, J., Conroy, J., Venn, R., Burbi, S. & Touliatos, D.
1/11/20 → 31/10/24
Project: Research
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Bringing Organisations and Network Development to higher levels in the farming sector in Europe
Hilmi, A., Arnab, S., Burbi, S., Franklin, A., Kneafsey, M. & Wright, J.
1/11/17 → 31/10/20
Project: Research
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A revitalisation of European farming and the promise of the biodynamic worldview
Wright, J., Dec 2022, In: Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture. 9, 1, 9 p., 64.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Open AccessFile18 Downloads (Pure) -
Re-Enchanting Agriculture, Farming With the Hidden Half of Nature
Wright, J., 30 Jun 2021, Subtle Agroecologies, Farming With the Hidden Half of Nature. Wright, J. & Parrott, N. (eds.). 1 ed. Boca Raton: Taylor and Francis, p. 3-20 18 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review
Open Access -
Subtle Agroecologies, Farming with the Hidden Half of Nature
Wright, J., 30 Jun 2021, 1 ed. CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group. 384 p.Research output: Book/Report › Book › peer-review
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A call to focus on farmer intuition for improved management decision making
Von Diest, S., Wright, J., Samways, M. J. & Kieft, H., 1 Dec 2020, In: Outlook on Agriculture. 49, 4, p. 278-285 8 p., 956665.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Open AccessFile3 Citations (Scopus)72 Downloads (Pure) -
Stabilisation Agriculture: Reviewing an Emerging Concept with Case Studies from Afghanistan and Iraq
Adam-Bradford, A., El-Kahlout, G., Byrne, R., Wright, J. & Rahman, M., 26 Jun 2020, In: CAB Reviews: Perspectives in Agriculture, Veterinary Science, Nutrition and Natural Resources. 15, 42, 10 p., 042.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile3 Citations (Scopus)90 Downloads (Pure)
Activities
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PhD Progress Review Panel (PRP) - Independent Chair
Sara Burbi (Independent Chair) & Julia Wright (Examiner)
1 Nov 2018Activity: Examination
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Quantum-Based Agriculture: Time to Embrace the Invisible?
Julia Wright (Speaker)
28 Nov 2017Activity: Talk or presentation › Oral presentation
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Biofach 2016 Technology Innovation Platform of IFOAM
Julia Wright (Keynote Speaker)
10 Feb 2016Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Participation in conference
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Islands: Models for our Planet – Metaphors for our World
Julia Wright (Speaker)
12 Jan 2015Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Participation in conference
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International Permaculture Conference
Julia Wright (Co-convenor)
8 Sept 2015 → 9 Sept 2015Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Participation in conference
Prizes
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Trailblazers 2022
Félix, Georges (Recipient), Hill-Butler, Charley (Recipient) & Wright, Julia (Recipient), 2021
Prize: Other distinction