I am a Founding Director of the Edinburgh Agroecology Cooperative and Lauriston Urban Farm. My Fellowship will look at the development of urban agriculture, localised food systems and different models of innovative and meaningful engagement of young people and marginalised groups within this growing movement.

I believe that urban agriculture has an increasingly important part to play in creating resilient communities and I am passionate about finding ways that we can maximise the benefits for participants as well as communities in terms of social empowerment and the economic, health and environmental benefits. Being inclusive and accessible is key and I'm particularly interested in how we enable young people and marginalised groups to be involved in a creative and meaningful way.

By visiting projects and organisations that have long-term success in engaging these groups in urban agriculture and that have had lasting social impact on the surrounding communities, I will be able to learn how different models have adapted to social, economic and environmental contexts. This will enable me to implement methods in my own work and share across wider networks.