Eilidh Forster
Project title
Developing environmentally sustainable forestry value chains
Qualifications
MEng Chemical and Process Engineering (Strathclyde University)
MSc Tropical Forestry (Bangor University)
Supervisors
Internal: Dave Styles, John Healy.
External: Gary Newman (Wood Knowledge Wales), Gareth Davies (Coed Cymru), Caren Dymond (Canadian Forest Service).
Professional Affiliations
MIChemE
Student Member of ICF
Biography
After a varied career in engineering and business development that laterally took me into the organic waste recycling sector, I decided to undertake a part-time, distance learning MSc in Tropical Forestry at Bangor for interest. Almost right away I discovered my passion for forestry and knew I would continue on this path. A PhD was a logical next step for me in order to build expertise in a flexible way that could work around my family. I was really impressed with Bangor University during my MSc and so did not hesitate to apply for a NERC Envision PhD studentship that closely matched my skills and interests. I feel very fortunate to have been given the opportunity to make steps to change my career into an area that I am passionate about and I hope to use this opportunity to carry out work that has a positive impact.
Research
I am researching the environmental sustainability of forestry value chains using a combination of carbon modelling and life cycle assessment (LCA). I am evaluating different forest management systems and different downstream timber product uses, with a particular focus on the construction sector. Initially I am looking at the greenhouse gas emissions impact of different value chains but hope to expand the scope to consider other impact categories as well (such as water quality), through collaboration with other researchers. I am interested in the emerging circular bio-economy and may also evaluate some more novel wood-based products later in my PhD if time permits.
Research Interests
My interests are very broad. Agroforestry, forestry, circular bioeconomy, landscape ecology, life cycle assessment, payment for ecosystem services, soil.