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Staff Profile

Dr Amelia Magistrali

Research Associate National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise

Background

Research Associate with the National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise (NICRE), working to deliver and evaluate innovation projects with rural communities and businesses in the North East. My previous research focused on farmer networks, including coordinating farmer participatory trials in seven European countries as part of an EU-Horizon 2020 project (SolACE) and assessing farmer experiences of regenerative agriculture in the North of England. I am interested in local and regionalised supply chains, having worked with a grain co-operative in Northumberland to grow, process and market spelt, rye and buckwheat through collaboration with rural businesses. I am particularly drawn to projects with an emphasis on engagement and outreach, looking to collaborate and facilitate knowledge exchange.


2015-2019: PhD: 'Evaluating alternative fertilisers and their impact on yield and quality of spelt and rye under different management systems', Newcastle University

2013-2014: MSc (Distinction) Organic Farming and Food Production Systems, Newcastle University

2005-2009: BA (High Honours) Human Ecology and Environmental Studies, Middlebury College (Vermont, USA)




Research

In my current role with the National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise, I work directly with rural businesses and communities toward net-zero transitions, including green energy and multi-region collaborative funding initiatives. My work also focuses on small and large-scale land-use change for natural capital accounting as part of national policy and through private investment. As a research associate operating at the intersection of academia and practical innovation, I also contribute to the development of the NICRE Innovation Portal to share learnings and resources across a range of subject areas relevant to rural economy and enterprise.

Previous research includes the SolACE project, coordinating farmer participatory research networks and assessing farmer experiences of adopting sustainable agriculture practices and growing alternative arable crops (ancient grains, niche market pulses) and developing relevant UK-based supply chains as an Innovate UK KTP Associate with Coastal Grains Ltd.


Teaching

I contribute to the Global Challenges in Food Security and Agricultural Systems MSc modules and the Agri-Food Supply Chains undergraduate module.

I have previously developed experiential learning materials on the Nitrogen Cycle for A-Level biology students and worked for the Brilliant Club's Scholars Programme during my PhD.


Publications