Personal Information

My primary interest is agroecology / sustainable horticulture and agriculture research (agronomy), extension and consulting, with a particular focus on physical and ecological weed management including weeding machinery and special expertise in thermal (flame and steam) weeding. In addition, I am interested in crop management and whole-farm systems in general including, soil health and its management, taking a biogeochemical focus on soil nutrient management coupled with a deep interest in tillage and non-tillage techniques with a view to optimising them. I also have experience in biological control, both classical and conservation for pathogens and invertebrates. All of this is undertaken with the aim of improving all 'real-world' farming. To that end I consider it essential to maintain links with working farmers and growers to ensure that the techniques I develop are useable on working farms. At a wider level I am curious about the philosophical, ethical and scientific context of agriculture and its relationship to human civilisations and the biosphere.

Beyond agriculture (which includes biology and ecology) I am fascinated by many areas of scientific enquiry, such as physics and cosmology, mathematics and computing. I consider myself to fully signed up to the ideals of the enlightenment and the scientific method while at the same time being aware of the limits of science and the potential to be used for both positive and negative purposes, whether deliberately or in ignorance. I therefore have an active interest in ethics and the philosophy of science.