Curriculum vitae

Julia Wright

Personal information

Full name Julia Emma Wright
Profession Food Systems Specialist
with focus on Organic Agriculture
Nationality British

Key Competencies

Development professional in sustainable and organic agriculture, specialising in food security, regeneration of the natural resource base, and building capacity and resilience of vulnerable groups, including to climate change and industrialisation impacts. Skilled in project formulation, implementation, participatory approaches, and monitoring and evaluation. Agricultural experience covers production and postharvest, agroforestry, food supply and distribution systems, urban agriculture and nutrition, bioregional development, research, extension and knowledge systems, and farmer livelihood strategies. Institutional experience of the UN - FAO, IFAD, WB; CGIAR - CIP, ICRAF; DFID; and the private and non-governmental sectors. Specific country experience in Europe - UK, Netherlands and Spain; Central and South America - Peru, Mexico, Cuba, Brazil; Asia - Afghanistan, China, Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia; Africa - Tanzania, Zambia, Kenya, Nigeria.

Education

Ph.D. in Communication & Innovation Studies

Thesis on: "Perspectives on the emergence of a more ecological farming and food system in post-crisis Cuba". Wageningen University and Research Centre - Communication & Innovation Studies Group, Wageningen, The Netherlands (2005).

M.Sc. in Sustainable Agriculture

University of London - Wye College, UK (1993).

Postgrad. Dip. in Land and Water management

Cranfield University - Silsoe College, UK (1986)

B.A. in Rural Environment Studies

University of Wales - Trinity College, UK (1985).

Languages

Language speaking reading writing
English mother tongue
Spanish excellent excellent very good
French basic basic basic
German fair fair fair

Professional Experience

GARDEN ORGANIC, Warwickshire, UK (2003 - present)
Head of International Programme and Senior Scientific Officer

Applying the concepts of agro-ecology and organic agriculture to contemporary development concerns. Responsible for management of the Programme's international advisory and research services, budgets, fundraising, campaigns, and human resources. Team leader and co-ordinator for several international research, development and capacity building projects, including:

  • Afghanistan: Certified organic and fair trade raisin export initiative in Kandahar (Mercy Corps/DFID/ICARDA)
  • Cuba: Participatory development of drought mitigation strategies for smallholder farmers (Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Agricolas, Cuba / British Embassy/DFID)
  • Sri Lanka: Post-Tsunami rehabilitation of homegardens and strengthening capacity of informal indigenous seed systems (Coventry University)
  • Kenya: Management and commercialisation of drought resistant tree species (Kenyan Agroforestry Research Institute/DFID/Kennington Overseas Aid)
  • Sub-Saharan Africa: Organic farming and food to mitigate the impacts of HIV/AIDS (International Federation of Organic Agricultural Movements)
  • Kenya/Zambia: Agrobiodiversity and Indigenous Knowledge to mitigate the impacts of HIV/AIDS (Bananahill Consultants/FAO)

Wageningen University, the Netherlands / Instituto de Nacional de Ciencias Agrícolas, Cuba (1998 - 2003)
Research Fellow (EU Marie Curie Training and Mobility of Researchers Award)

Formulated & implemented applied research project on the implications of large-scale transformation to low- petroleum systems for agricultural production, extension and food security, drawing on the Cuban experience of the 1990s. Focused on policy and practice of staple banana and maize production, seed systems, organic agriculture and national food systems.

Learning by Design, The Netherlands/ FAO, ROME, ITALY (2000-01)
Monitoring and Evaluation Consultant

Research, writing and editing input for the development of a practical guide on monitoring and evaluation for the UN International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Office of Evaluation and Studies, to orientate all IFAD projects worldwide.

Department for International Development (DFID), UK (1997-98)
Advisor, Sustainable Agriculture

Provided advisory support to the Policy Research Programme on sustainable rural livelihoods, and to the Natural Resources Policy and Advisory Department on organic agriculture and ethical trade issues.

International Potato Centre (CIP), PERU (1994-96)
Rural Development Expert (DFID Associate Professional Officer)

In the Postharvest Development and Marketing Division, expanded ongoing work on sweetpotato and other basic staple roots and tubers, and supervision of national staff, including:

  • Participatory feasibility studies into basic urban processing of sweetpotato products as a substitute for imported ingredients in the bakery industry and humanitarian infant feed supplement programmes
  • NGO-farmer participatory research into sweetpotato as livestock fodder to assist post-conflict land repossession and rehabilitation in the Andean region
  • Action research into sweetpotato and Andean roots and tubers in urban home gardens and their impact on local food security systems.

University of Yucatan, Mexico (1993-94)
Visiting Development Associate

Developed outreach projects to counter widespread rural poverty and poor local markets, in the context of scarcity of both soil and water, including:

  • Tree nurseries for the conservation and use of local genetic material within agroforestry systems,
  • Horticultural demonstration sites with the dual aim of generating cash crops for female householders and improving household nutrition
  • In support of ICRAF programme on Domestication of Tree Species for the Humid Tropics, designed innovative agroforestry trials for forage and underutilised tree species within a stabilised shifting cultivation system.

Consultants for International Development, London UK (1990-92)
Senior Projects Coordinator

Managed complete consultancy project cycles: tendering for bi- and multi-laterally funded projects on structural adjustment, aquaculture, water resources, agricultural inputs, rural communications, and procurements, mainly in Nigeria.

Various Farm Enterprises, South England (1988-90)
Horticultural manager/worker

Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries & Foods, London, UK (1988)
Administrative Assistant, Pesticides Division

Raleigh International Expedition, Indonesia (1987)
Expeditioner to Ceram Island, Moluccas

Green Deserts Ltd. Suffolk, UK / Almeria, Spain (1986-87)
Spanish Project Co-ordinator

Professional Training & Activities

Training: BOND Rights-Based Approaches, Permaculture Advanced Design, DFID Participatory Rural Appraisal, DFID Training in Management, ICRA Development-oriented Research in Agriculture (with EMBRAPA Brazil), UN Security proficiency.

Activities: Trustee for Bioregional Development Group, Sutton. Steering Committee of Canalside Community Supported Agriculture, Leamington. Steering Committee of Transition Town Leamington.

Countries Of Work Experience

Cuba, Brazil, Mexico, Peru, Kenya, Zambia, Tanzania and Nigeria, UK, Netherlands, Spain, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, China, India and Indonesia

Publications and Papers

Wright J. (2008)
Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security in an Era of Oil Scarcity: Lessons from Cuba. Earthscan Publications (pending).

Wright J. (2008)
Organic Agriculture and HIV/AIDS: The nutritional response. Proceedings, 16th IFOAM World Congress, Modena, Italy, 18-20 June 2008.

Wright J. (2008)
Imposing Organic Standards or Rekindling Local Values, Encouraging ownership of the organic concept for raisin exports from Afghanistan. Proceedings, 16th IFOAM World Congress, Modena, Italy, 18-20 June 2008.

Wright J. (2008)
Organic Agriculture and HIV/AIDS in Sub Saharan Africa. Policy Document. International Federation of Organic Agricultural Movements (IFOAM), Germany.

Thanthriarachchi A., S. Green & J. Wright (2007)
A successful model for increasing the availability of quality seed in Sri Lanka. LEISA Magazine on Low External Input and Sustainable Agriculture, Summer, pending.

Wright J. (2007)
Relocalising food systems for food security: successes and challenges in Cuba. Organic Agriculture and Food Utilisation Document. International Conference on Organic Agriculture and Food Security, 3-5 May 2007, Rome. FAO/IFOAM. p.32-34.

Wright J. (2007)
Relocalising food systems for food security: successes and challenges in Cuba. International Conference on Organic Agriculture and Food Security, 3-5 May 2007, Rome. FAO/IFOAM. P.32-34.

Parrott N. & Wright J. (2007)
Influencing attitudes of public institutions towards organic agriculture as a means of promoting food security. International Conference on Organic Agriculture and Food Security, 3-5 May 2007, Rome. FAO/IFOAM. P.7-9.

Choge S.K., Pasiecznik N.M., Harvey M.,Wright J. Awan S.Z. & P.J.C. Harris. (2006)
Prosopis pods as a human food in Kenya. Proceedings of International Symposium on the Nutritional Value and Water Use of Indigenous Crops for Improved Livelihoods, 19-20 Sept. 2006, University of Pretoria, South Africa. P114-118.

Wright J. (2006)
Cuba's enforced ecological learning experience. LEISA Magazine on Low External Input and Sustainable Agriculture, June 2006 Vol 22 no.2. p. 6-9.

Wright J. (2005)
The nationwide transformation to a more ecological agriculture for food security in Cuba. Congress Handbook, Shaping Sustainable Systems. 15th IFOAM Organic World Congress, Adelaide, South Australia. P. 182.

Wright J. & Harvey M. (2005)
Local organic agriculture and resilience to disasters: a major focus of HDRA's International Development Programme. Tropical Agriculture Association Newsletter, 25(2), July 2005, p. 3-7.

Wright J. (2005)
Feeding the World with Ecological Agriculture: So What's Stopping Us? Proceedings, Sustainable World Conference, 14-15 July 2005, Portcullis House, House of Commons, London. Institute for Science in Society.

Wright J. (2005)
Falta Petroleo! Perspectives on the emergence of a more ecological farming and food system in post-crisis Cuba. PhD Thesis, Wageningen University, Wageningen. 351 pp.

Wright J. & Harvey M. (2005)
Organic agriculture brings resilience to disasters. The Organic Way, Issue 179, Spring: 22-23.

Wright J. (2004)
Going with the grain: Mainstreaming an ecological paradigm for food security. Paper presented at: LEAD International Workshop on Sustainable Agriculture and the Global Food Economy, April 2004, Wye College.

Harvey M. & Wright J. (2004)
Improving the agricultural component of disaster mitigation strategies for long term resilience. Presented at Second International Conference on Post-Disaster Reconstruction: Planning for Reconstruction, 22-23 April 2004, Coventry University, UK.

Harris P., A. Browne, H. Barrett. F. Gandiya & J. Wright. (2003)
Opportunities for export of organic livestock products from lower to higher income countries. Ecology and Farming (Sept.-Dec. 2003): 16-17.

Wright J. (2002)
Where There's a Will. Organic agriculture and Food Security in Cuba. Presented at: Cultivating Communities, 14th IFOAM Organic World Congress, Victoria, Canada, 21-24 August, 2002.

Wright J. (2001)
Falta Petroleo! The Implications of a more ecological production for the agricultural support and food system, drawing on the Cuban experience. Presented at: CERES Graduate Summer School, 3-6 July 2001, Wageningen University, The Netherlands.

Wright J. (2001)
The future for organic agriculture in Cuba: Perspectives from the Cuban agricultural research and development sector. Presented at: IV Meeting on Organic Agriculture, 17-19 May 2001, Havana, Cuba. ACTAF.

Rios Labrada H. & Wright J. (1999)
Early attempts at stimulating seed flows in Cuba. LEISA Magazine on Low External Input and Sustainable Agriculture 15(3/4 Dec.): 38-39.

Fernandes L., J. Mejia del Cid, M. Nishat, J. Wright & J. Zabaleta. (1997)
Building a Bridge to Sao Jose do Norte: Diagnosis for Research Needs of Family Farms in Brazil. International Centre for development-oriented Research in Agriculture (ICRA), Wageningen, The Netherlands.

Maldonaldo L.A., J. Wright & G.J. Scott. (1997)
Constraints to the Production and Use of Potato: Results of an Investigation of National Programs in Asia. Asian Potato Journal.

Zhang D., L. Diaz & J. Wright. (1996)
Rapid Identification of Sweetpotato Cultivars Suitable for Non Traditional Use in Peru. Sub-project Annual Progress Report, IPC International Potato Centre, Lima, Peru.

Scott G., R. Basay & J. Wright. (1996)
Potatoes: Thought for Food. Potato Business World, USA. 4(July): 8-12.

Espinola N., J. Wright, L. Diaz & M. van Hal. (1996)
Productos Procesados de Camote. Latin American Congress on Tropical Roots, 7-11 October 1996. Centro de Raizes Tropicais, Botucatu, Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Wright J.E., N. Espinola & J. Woolfe. (1995)
From Pigfeed to Patisseries: Sweetpotato in the Urban Food System. 1st International Conference on Urban Agriculture. Havana, Cuba, 3-8 December 1995.

Wright J.E. (1994)
Hemp as an Organic Rotation Crop. Research paper. Bioregional Development Group, Sutton, Surrey, UK.

Wright J.E. (1993)
Potential for Integrated Aquaculture in S.E. England. In: Desai P. (ed.), Bioregional Surrey. Bioregional Development Group, Sutton, Surrey, UK.