Thirze Hermans

Profile

PhD researcher at the University of Leeds working on Conservation Agriculture scaling in Malawi in collaboration with International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT). Her PhD research focuses on the Conservation Agriculture scaling process and associated small holder farmer decision-making, thereby gaining understanding on the processes of change, knowledge interactions, and learning processes between research and communities. To understand the interdisciplinarity and variety in knowledges, both social science and soil science methods are used. Other projects she is working on include UK climate change risk assessment (CCRA) international dimensions chapter and Red Cross project on the integration of local knowledge on early warning early action with scientific forecasting; case studies for Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda.

Research interests

• Sustainable Agriculture
• Social-Ecological Systems
• Agricultural Systems & Climate Smart Agriculture
• Sustainable Livelihoods
• Food Systems
• Interdisciplinary methods, processes & approaches
• Physical Geography (Soil, GIS/Remote Sensing)

Demonstrating/Teaching Assistant:

• SOEE 5010 Research methods – statistics & interviews
• SOEE2570 Research methods social environmental science
• GEOG1045 Living Planet – soil lab
• MO262 Personal development program for sustainability
• SOEE2371 People, sustainability and environment

• Conservation Agriculture in Southern Africa

Qualifications

• BSc Liberal Arts & Sciences, Major Environmental/Earth Science, Amsterdam University College
• MSc Physical Geography and Ecosystem Analysis, Lund University

Research groups and institutes

• Environment and Development
• Sustainability Research Institute