Team profile

Christian Gossel

"I want to see a future where our food landscapes provide environmental, economic, and social support for everyone through the tools of agroforestry, organics, and wider regenerative agriculture"

Job title:

Farm Sustainability Researcher

Academic qualifications:

  • BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences (Roehampton University)
  • MSc Agroforestry and Food Security (Bangor University)

Role and responsibilities:

I am part of the research team to support the wide range of projects that occur at ORC with a specific focus on farm sustainability. My background in agroforestry lends itself to the work of the EU-wide REFOREST project and development of an Agroforestry Carbon Code. Other aspects of farm sustainability are also being explored through the Re-Livestock project and Defra-supported Test & Trials for Organic Agriculture. Part of my role is also to identify where these projects share goals and how they can build upon each other to maximise their outcomes.

I also sit on the  committee for the Farm Woodland Forum

Research projects

Plants not Plastic
Plants not Plastic
UK-Brazil-Africa Silvopasture Network
UK-Brazil-Africa Silvopasture Network
Optimum Shelterbelts
Optimum Shelterbelts
Agroforestry and orchard pilot study
Agroforestry and orchard pilot study
Aiming high for hedgerows
Aiming high for hedgerows
Agroforestry ELMS Test on advice and guidance
Agroforestry ELMS Test on advice and guidance
Importance of Hedgerows as Wildlife Corridors
Importance of Hedgerows as Wildlife Corridors
Whole farm carbon framework
Whole farm carbon framework
LIVESEEDING
LIVESEEDING
ReForest
ReForest
Public Goods Tool
Public Goods Tool
Re-Livestock
Re-Livestock

Research interests:

My primary interest is in agroforestry, bringing together forestry and agriculture by integrating trees and hedges into the farming landscape. This has been an area of rapid expansion in recent years with increasing support and interest from governments, researchers, and farmers alike. Through work at ORC, such as the Agroforestry and Orchards Pilot study and CPRE Aiming High for Hedgerow project, I have been able to explore what the drivers and barriers are for agroforestry in the UK.

Supporting the creation of a connected, healthy, supportive agricultural landscape is my overarching goal and drives not only my research but also the wider research at ORC.

Interests outside of ORC:

In my spare time I’m a keen gardener and hiker, providing the weather is good! I also read a lot, although mostly non-fiction books covering a range of topics from sustainable agriculture to European history. I follow various motorsports and am a self-confessed cricket badger, although I’m more likely to be playing a video game than a game of cricket.

Publications:

Contact: