Current Research

My research is concerned with labour issues in agriculture. I focus on the need for 'good food jobs' in the UK context where labour shortages in edible horticulture are significant. This PhD project examines inequities that affect how accessible farming is as a career, focusing particularly on landless labourers. This includes interrogating why definitions of a 'farmer' matter, and an exploration of the contested visions for the future of food production in the UK context.

My interest in the edible horticulture sector stems outside of academia, and led to me working on several organic market gardens and commercial farms as well as completing a horticultural apprenticeship. This work has highlighted the importance of 'practical academia' that is informed by and bridges advocacy and activism around my research topic outside of the academy. My doctoral research is funded by the North West Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership and is a Collaborative Studentship. This collaboration involves working with the Landworker's Alliance, a well-established member-led union of farmers and land-based workers and a member of La Via Campesina. This project will build an evidence base around ecological unionism, and the role of social movements in building new solidarities, labour power and strategies for horticulture to become more diverse, attractive, and viable to new entrants.