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University associate professor appointed as advisor to Government department

Dr Julie Urquhart, Associate Professor in Environmental Social Science at University of Gloucestershire, has been named on an advisory body to a Government department responsible for the management of forests in England.

Dr Urquhart, who works within the Countryside and Community Research Institute (CCRI) based at the University, has been appointed to the Forestry Commission’s Expert Committee on Forest Science (ECFS).

Working with Forestry England and Forestry Research, the Forestry Commission is the Government department responsible for protecting, expanding and promoting the sustainable management of woodlands. 

The ECFS was established by the Board of Forestry Commissioners to provide independent, expert advice and assurance on the quality of science and evidence provided by Forest Research and other providers.

Its membership is made up of representatives of the forest scientific and stakeholder community and the Forestry Commission.

Dr Urquhart, whose research focuses on human-environment relationships, particularly around natural resource management, spanning forestry, fisheries and agriculture, replaces Professor Clive Potter, from Imperial College London, on the committee.

Commenting on her appointment, Dr Urquhart said: “As an environmental social scientist undertaking much applied research with policy relevance, I believe I can provide expertise on the government’s social science research portfolios.

“I am also happy to provide a link to state-of-the-art research on trees, woods and forests, being undertaken in the UK through the Future of UK Treescapes programme, particularly identifying synergies between different forest science research activities, results and impacts.”