Meet Dannielle Roche Research and Knowledge Exchange Assistant at Ceres Research

My name is Danni and I hold a BSc in Environmental Science from the University of East Anglia. Here, I focused my research on mapping the changes of warming sea surface temperatures in the North Atlantic Ocean and the effect this has on fish migration over a 21-year period. I continued at the same university, completing my MSc in Climate Change. In this degree, I focused my research on consumer perceptions of reduced meat consumption, as one way to reduce the emissions associated with meat production (which always stumped people when I told them I was a meat- eater!). I was really interested to understand what drives consumer choice in the supermarket, and how this can inform potential environmental labelling on produce.  

Following this and a short travel stint in Australia due to Covid, I came back to the UK and started my PhD at Cranfield University where I researched the potential role of biostimulants in improving soil properties and crop quality. This project was funded by the FoodBioSystems Doctoral Training Partnership and Sainsbury’s. Through my partnership with the Sainsbury’s Agriculture team, I was able to direct my PhD to answer ‘real-world’ problems faced by fresh produce growers, in particular in this project, spinach growers. This experience of working more closely with farmers and growers alongside my research provided me with a fantastic insight into where I wanted my career to go next.  

Enter Ceres Research! A particular skill I am enjoying refining is translating complex information into practical insights. Ceres Research excel in supporting farmers, growers and landowners by bridging scientific research with accessible and practical knowledge and tangible actions, so I was keen to join the team following the completion of my PhD.  

I’m really excited about getting involved in innovative projects that boost our agricultural productivity and UK resilience as well as safeguard our natural resources. I’m especially looking forward to engaging more closely with farmers and growers to enhance access to sustainable practices through my role at Ceres Research. Plus, I look forward to the collaborative opportunities that I will have the chance to pursue on behalf of Ceres Research, whether that be with different funding and regulatory bodies, training and education institutions or retailers that span the food and farming supply chain. I think that fostering strong relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders is essential for effectively addressing future environmental challenges, and I’m all for embracing multiple viewpoints to ensure we are well-prepared for whatever lies ahead. 

This is only the beginning of my journey into translating and utilising my academic skills into the wider agricultural industry, so stay tuned for more updates on what the team at Ceres Research and I get up to.