Institute of Aquaculture

Key research questions are: How are (fish) farmers engaged in the innovation process? How can we capture that innovation for others to use? These questions interest me, but as a consultant I spend much of my time on many other interesting and diverse projects, working with a fantastic range of enthusiastic partners.

I am involved in the development and management of various networks - linking various actors in the innovation process. I work with the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Forum (www.bfrf.org) who link researchers, NGOs, government departments and fish farmers together to ensure research is both relevant and actively taken up. I also manage an association of Commercial Aquaculture Producers in Africa (www.capafish.org) who want to improve their businesses and become more competitive in local and international markets by sharing knowledge. They are also able to access external expertise more efficiently as a group than as individual companies.

I have spent quite a bit of time abroad in recent years, working primarily on development projects, principally funded by DFID (UK Government Department for International Development). Countries where I have direct project management experience (some for extended periods of time) include: Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand and Vietnam in Asia; and Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Tanzania and Uganda in Africa. I am a leading member of the SCAID initiative (Scottish Collaborative Alliance for International Development), which aims to bring Scotland's universities and colleges together to strengthen Scotland&lsquos contribution to international development.

My media experience includes some time with the BBC working for the Specialist Factual department. I am a member of The British Science Association and have organised several science communication events. And, if you want to learn a little more about what we do here in Stirling, why not take a look at the magazine I edit on behalf of the Institute - Aquaculture News www.aqua.stir.ac.uk/aquanews .