ENVISION aims to address the need for continuous, large-scale, remote monitoring of farm management activities with regards to sustainability, as proposed by the EU CAP 2021-2027. These tools reinforce the monitoring of cross-compliance measures and environmental greening, through the identification of unsustainable agricultural practices, that result in environmental degradation.
Department: Applied Economics & Marketing
Supervised by: Yiorgos Gadanakis
The project aims to develop a toolbox to facilitate remote and continuous monitoring of agricultural parcels and sustainable management practices by European Paying Agencies (PAs) and Certification Bodies (CBs). Specifically, project partners will adopt a co-production approach to develop a platform, models and data products with the contribution of several business cases, for monitoring of the following areas: Crop Types / Diversification; Soil Organic Carbon; Vegetation Status; Crop Growth (distinction of organic-conventional farming); Grassland Management; Soil Erosion. The University of Reading's (URDG) primary role in this project is to review and evaluate current service provision for the monitoring of the above areas, and to identify user requirements for the platform, models and data products. Furthermore, URDG aims to identify potential issues in the adoption of ENVISION tools by organisations (PAs and CBs) and other potential users (farmers). To achieve its aim, URDG has designed and conducted an online questionnaire & SWOT survey, which was distributed to over 250 organisations across Europe. Moreover, a relevant virtual and interactive workshop framework has been developed, to be implemented in several focus groups (including the project business cases) for the collection of data/information that is critical for the co-production of ENVISION tools. URDG will analyse the collected data/information using established qualitative methods, and will be summarised in comprehensive user-stories that will be fed in an agile software development framework.
The student will mainly be involved in the collection of qualitative data and its analysis using qualitative data analysis methods (e.g. thematic analysis). Furthermore, the student will contribute to the production (structure and writing) of a scientific, research paper. For the first task of data collection, the student will be expected to actively participate in focus groups with certification bodies and farmers, through the role of the facilitator. The student will also be expected to review the existing online questionnaire & SWOT survey, and help adapt it for distribution to groups of farmers. The student will then receive training on methods for analysis of qualitative data, which they will apply to collected information. Upon analysis, they will present their findings in the context of a scientific, research paper and a project report.
The student should have: a keen interest in collection and analysis of qualitative information; good communication skills and interest in engaging with focus groups; good analytical skills and attention to detail; Microsoft Word literacy; very good time management and organisation skills; ability to work independently
The student will have the opportunity to work alongside a team of researchers with an interest in factors affecting the adoption of innovations in agriculture to improve sustainability of the sector. The team will share its excellent knowledge of qualitative data analysis, organisation and facilitation of workshops, focus groups and surveys, and its knowledge of the agriculture industry sector more specifically. The team has long-term experience of supervising research projects and will ensure the student will receive appropriate training and extensive support throughout. Moreover, the student will develop scientific writing, report writing, oral presentation and organisational skills. To ensure the success of the placement the student will be encouraged to develop and plan a day to day task completion schedule. Additionally, this placement will provide the opportunity for the student to develop technical and independent working skills enhancing their research competencies, which would be essential for employment in a broad range of fields within the social sciences or environmental / agricultural sectors.
University of Reading, Whiteknights campus, School of Agriculture, Policy and Development (SAPD, Agriculture Building). Remote working if necessary.
Monday to Friday 9am-5:00pm with an hour for lunch
Monday 21 June 2021 - Thursday 17 September 2020
The post will be advertised centrally on the UROP website between 22nd February and 9th April 2021. Students should submit their CV and Cover Letter directly to the Project Supervisor (click on supervisor name at the top of the page for email). Successful candidates will be invited for an interview.