• doctoral studies on farmer-led innovation in the European livestock sector• practicing farmer and experienced shepherd managing flocks of up to 300 ewes of native and commercial breeds.• over 15 years of working experience in international development in the management and coordination of complex projects and programmes related to agriculture and rural development in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East• long-standing experience in facilitating multi-actor/stakeholder collaborative learning and co-creation processes• track record of successful project tenders/proposal development including EU research and innovation projects• expert in participatory research, participatory technology development and grassroots innovation and in training (innovation) facilitators• author of Sharing the Load: A guide to improving the welfare of working animals through collective action. Practical Action Publishing, Rugby, UK (ISBN 978-1-85339-719-6)• Co-founder and foundation chair of the UK Farmer-Led Innovation Network (FLIN) a community of practice of organisations that support farmer-centric innovation & research and seek to incorporate novel approaches to innovation that strengthen the adaptability and resilience of farmers to manage change and stay profitable and productive• Co-chair of the Prolinnova Oversight Group.• Experience of participation in the AKIS Strategic Working of the DG AGRI Standing Committee on Agricultural Research (SCAR-AKIS)I currently live and work on our sheep farm in France. I also work for Highclere consulting, an SME in Romanian, and the University for Sustainable Development in Eberswalde Germany.