Caitlin Hafferty

Interests and expertise

My research focuses on the governance and equity dimensions of nature-based solutions. I am particularly interested in exploring how knowledge is constructed and used by diverse actors in research, policy, and practice, and the role of key institutions in shaping how land use is governed. I provide social science expertise as part of an interdisciplinary team working on scaling up nature-based solutions in the UK. This will lead onto further research exploring the governance of nature restoration efforts across the UK, as part of the Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery (LCNR).

Background

My approach to research is interdisciplinary, participatory, and collaborative. My ESRC-funded PhD investigated what works for stakeholder engagement in planning and environmental decision-making processes, focusing on the perspectives of practitioners and practice-enablers in the UK. During my PhD, I completed research internships with Natural England, the Welsh Government, and provided expertise to a Defra review of public engagement. I have also worked on research projects funded by NICRE, Natural England, Defra, and Innovate UK. With an interdisciplinary background in geography and environmental planning, I hold a BSc in Geography (human), MSc in Sustainability, Environmental Policy and Planning, and second MSc in Social Science Research Methods.