Fern Baker

Fern Baker is a Lecturer in Sustainability at Bournemouth University, affiliated with the Department of Life and Environmental Sciences within the Faculty of Science and Technology. Her work bridges environmental science, psychology, and agricultural systems, focusing on sustainable solutions for food production and climate resilience.

Education:

• PhD in Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham (2024)
• MSc in Environmental Sustainability and Green Technology, Keele University (2020)
• BSc (Hons) in Psychology, University of Chester (2019)

Fern's research centers on sustainability in the agri-food sector, particularly strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance biodiversity, and promote carbon sequestration without compromising food security. With a background in psychology, she explores environmental psychology and behavior change, aiming to understand how individuals and communities adopt pro-environmental practices. Her interdisciplinary approach includes co-producing research with stakeholders like farmers and local communities.

Her recent publications focus on life cycle assessment of dairy systems and modeling methane emissions from cattle, reflecting a strong trend in agricultural sustainability and climate impact mitigation. These works emphasize data-driven, systems-level analysis to support net-zero transitions in food systems.

Scientific Awards and Memberships:

• Member, UK Environmental Law Association (UKELA) (2025–)
• Member, AgriFood4NetZeroNetwork+ (2024–)
• Member, British Environmental Psychology Society (BrePS) (2024–)
• Member, The Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges (EAUC) (2024–)
• Member, European Federation of Animal Science (EAAP) (2020–)
• Member, British Society of Animal Science (BSAS) (2020–)
• Member, National Farmers Union (NFU) (2020–)
• Member, Friends of the Earth (FoE) (2019–)

Fern has secured several competitive research grants, including projects on insect protein in student diets, community engagement in sustainable transitions, and workshops on carbon credits in farming. She actively leads units in postgraduate and undergraduate programs, such as Green Technology and Renewable Energy, Sustainable Development in Practice, and Wildlife Protection, demonstrating strong engagement in both research and teaching.

She is involved in research networks and fieldwork, including collaborations with farming communities and landowners, and is exploring future work on PFAS contamination, rewilding, and regenerative agriculture. Her interdisciplinary, applied, and community-centered approach positions her as an emerging leader in sustainability science.