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Biography
Paul's research interests are in the areas of Agricultural Economics and Farm Business Management. Specific research interests include:
- Agricultural policy, efficiency, and productivity analysis.
- Farm and farm business decision making.
- Determinants of variations in farm business income performance.
- Agricultural-Environmental interactions.
- Food market analysis of farm to retail food prices.
- Food consumer behaviour.
- Applied econometrics.
- Bioenergy feedstock supply.
- Sustainable Intensification in Agriculture.
Expertise Summary
Paul's research expertise focuses upon several key themes in agricultural and food economics and farm business management. Understanding and analysing behavioural change in farm business management is achieved through analysis of data collected as part of the annual Farm Business Survey for England. Using data collected from farm survey data, Paul's expertise using applied econometric techniques has focused upon understanding the influence of management, in relation to biographical and managerial practices, in explaining variation in technical efficiency in potato, wheat and dairy production. Adaptation to agri-environmental and market price signals form a further research theme in respect to behavioural change in the context of business management. Understanding consumer behaviour in relation to food purchase decisions, and explaining the economics of the food chain, including the degree to which retail food prices are influenced by changes in farm-gate prices, forms a further research interest that utilises both primary and secondary data sources in relation to food purchase decisions.
Teaching Summary
Paul is currently Head of School and is not currently leading any modules. His teaching has mainly focused in the area of agricultural economics and business management. Specifically he has taught in… read more
Research Summary
Economics, Efficiency and Environment
Using cross-sectional and panel data, previous research has sought to estimate and explain variation in efficiency and profitability levels in UK potato, wheat and dairy production. Agri-Environment interactions, including the application of biochar to agricultural land, and the metrics of sustainable intensification form further research interests. Other research interests include exploring alternative protein sources in animal feed, and the sustainability of these sources. Internationally, working with colleagues in Environmental Sciences, Paul is involved in projects examining smallholder and environmental sustainability in Indonesia and Malaysia