Damian Maye

Damian Maye is a Professor of Rural Geography at the University of Gloucestershire, with a focus on agri-food sustainability, farm supply chains, and alternative food networks. He has held editorial roles in journals such as the Journal of Rural Studies and Frontiers in Veterinary Science since 2012, contributing to academic discourse on rural development, food systems, and biosecurity. His work emphasizes resilience in agricultural practices and transdisciplinary approaches to sustainability challenges.

Education: Damian holds a BSc in Geography (1999, University College Northampton), MSc in Rural Change (2000, Coventry University), and PhD in Geography (2005, Coventry University, focused on 'Making connections in the local food economy'). He also earned a PG Certificate in Higher Education Professional Practice (2007, Coventry University).

Research Interests: Damian’s interdisciplinary research bridges geography, sociology, and policy studies. He investigates how local food networks and digital technologies can enhance sustainability and resilience in farming systems. Key themes include Brexit’s impact on UK food policy, climate change adaptation strategies, and the role of social capital in small-scale fisheries. He advocates for participatory methods like Climathons to co-design solutions for net-zero goals and rural-urban linkages.

Publications and Awards: Recognized for his contributions, Damian won the 'Paper of Year' award from the Journal of Agricultural Extension and Education in 2014 and 2015. His recent work explores resilience frameworks for EU farming systems, biosecurity practices in livestock management, and the ethical dimensions of agri-food governance. He has authored over 50 peer-reviewed articles and reports, including studies on the economic potential of agroecology and farmer-bank relationships across Europe.

Grants and Collaboration: Damian’s research often involves collaborative projects, such as the ROBUST and SUREFARM initiatives. He emphasizes co-learning among stakeholders and has organized workshops on topics like transitioning agri-chicken systems to net-zero. His work also highlights the need for adaptive strategies in volatile agricultural markets, particularly in dairy sectors across Europe.

Labs/Teams: Damian is affiliated with the Countryside and Community Research Institute (CCRI) at the University of Gloucestershire, a hub for interdisciplinary rural studies. He collaborates with international teams on EU-funded projects, focusing on sustainability transitions and resilience in farming systems.