Meet the Team

Jack Brennand – PhD Student

Jack Brennand is the PhD student on the project, a previous alumnus to the University of Cumbria, on the BSc (Hons) Geography program. His aspiration within the thesis is to undertake fundamental, interdisciplinary research on the UK’s peatlands. Jack has previously worked with PBA Applied Ecology Ltd during his studies and has a passion to protect and conserve the UK’s vulnerable habitats.

“I intend to develop this project through articulating how and why Barker & Bland’s methods are an improvement on other approaches in the peatland restoration industry. I aim to perform ground-breaking research which will result in a net reduction of both direct and indirect emissions of CO2E from peatlands; reducing the estimated ~10m T CO2E per annuum observed in the UK. μCT analysis, combined with the revolutionary machinery already introduced by Barker & Bland, will modernise peatland restoration; generating a sustainable and cost-effective solution to restore degraded peatlands”.

Dr Simon Carr, University of Cumbria

Simon Carr is a geomorphologist and sedimentologist, specialising in the Micro-scale analysis of sediments; now leading the Geography programme at the University of Cumbria. He has led developments in the analysis of thin sections of unconsolidated sediments since the 1990s, and now focuses on the application of 3D-computed X-Ray microtomography to understanding the structural properties of sediments.

He has developed new, revolutionary ways to accurately characterise and quantify sediment fabric and pore system structure in glacial, coastal, and fluvial sediment systems, and how these influence sediment stability, hydraulic properties, and contaminant storage. Simon has a wealth of previous and current experience in this field of study, working on the NERC-FLOCS and NERC RESIST-UK projects.

Dr Jane Barker, M.D. at Barker & Bland Ltd

Jane Barker is the founder and director of two pioneering environmental businesses: Dalefoot Composts and Barker & Bland Ltd. She is also currently a Professor of Practice at the University of Cumbria and a former Secretary of State Appointee to the Lake District National Park Authority. Jane prides herself on her remarkable achievement of the Enterprising Rural Women’s Award for farm diversification – Freeman of the City of London. Her work within both businesses has revolutionised modern procedures; developing innovative eco products including peat free composts (derived from sheep’s wool and bracken!).

Furthermore, Jane has an impressive history of research and experience in the field, lecturing ‘Rural Planning & Environmental Management’ at the University of Bradford and embedding herself in multiple rural council roles.

Dr Helen Manns, Director of the Institute of Science and Environment at the University of Cumbria

Dr Helen Manns is a chartered environmentalist with more than 30 years’ experience in the environment field with the last 20 years spent as an academic teaching undergraduate and postgraduate environmental programmes. She has more than 12 years of experience at a senior level in higher education leading various faculty wide portfolios including Learning and Teaching, Enterprise and Knowledge Exchange, and most recently International Development. Dr Helen Manns’s expertise in knowledge exchange makes her input into our project highly respected and unique.