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Dr Tom Staton

Dr Tom Staton portrait

Specialism

 
Researcher working on Horizon Europe, UKRI and Defra-funded projects (see below)

Areas of interest

I am interested in how agriculture can meet global food demands while being environmentally, economically and socially sustainable. My research includes recording and monitoring the sustainability impacts of farming systems, exploring pathways to upscale sustainable systems, and the wider impacts of upscaling on food security and emissions. Much of my research focusses on European agroforestry systems, where trees or shrubs are integrated into productive farming systems.

Research centres and groups

Agri-food Economics and Marketing

Research projects

  • REFOREST - Agroforestry at the forefront of farming sustainability in multifunctional landscapes in Europe (Horizon Europe, 2022-2026)
  • Pathways for transitions to sustainability in livestock husbandry and food systems (Horizon 2020, 2021-2026)
  • LUNZ Grasslands – Grassland Resilience for Net Zero: Sustainable practices for shaping the future of UK land use (UKRI, 2024-2027)
  • Expanding Agroforestry (Defra Nature for Climate Fund, 2022-2025)

Background

My background is in applied ecology, particularly in the UK. I completed a Masters degree in Biological Recording and Ecology Monitoring, while my PhD thesis investigated biodiversity, natural pest control, and pollination in UK agroforestry systems. I am also an experienced ecological consultant, which involves advising on protected species and sites, and biodiversity net gain, in relation to planning applications and appeals in the UK.

Career:

  • Ecological consultant, Aspect Ecology Ltd, 2022 and 2012-2017
  • Research Entomologist, Forest Research, 2022
  • Ecological consultant, Andrews Ecology Ltd, 2009-2012

Academic qualifications

  • PhD in Ecology and Agri-Environmental Research (University of Reading, 2021)
  • MSc Biological Recording and Ecological Monitoring (University of Birmingham, 2011)
  • BSc (Hons) Biology (University of Bath, 2008)

Professional bodies/affiliations

  • British Ecological Society
  • Farm Woodland Forum
  • European Agroforestry Federation (EURAF)

Websites/blogs

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Tom-Staton

Selected publications

 

Publications

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