About Tim's Work
My research seeks to evaluate and quantify feedbacks between agricultural production and environmental change. I am particularly interested in understanding the links between agriculture, water resources and climate in order to identify technologies, management strategies and policies that enable farmers to sustainably decouple production and livelihoods from hydroclimatic variability and climate change. My applied research activities are guided by the following core scientific and policy questions:
1. What are the spatial and temporal patterns, and underlying drivers of water use within agricultural landscapes
2. How do differences in water access and use influence the productivity, profitability, and climate resilience of agricultural production and rural economies?
3. How do agricultural land and water use practices modify the water cycle and what impacts does this have on water availability and risk for ecosystems and other human uses?
4. How can current and future agricultural needs for water be met sustainabily and cost-effectively while minimising negative impacts on the environment and wider society?
My work addresses these questions using interdisciplinary approaches that combine insights, tools and methods from a range of disciplines including hydrology, agronomy, engineering, Earth Observation/Remote Sensing, climate science, economics and policy. I group currently has active research projects in several areas around the world, ranging from high productivity farming systems in North America and Europe to , Smallholder dominated agricultural regions of Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. I use findings from this research to guide and inform water management, climate adaptation and rural development policies and programs in these regions, working in close collaboration with local researchers, government, private sector, multilateral donors, and international agencies.