Sean Conway

Project title: Farming for soil health: assessing the impact of agricultural practice on soil biodiversity and functioning.

Overview: Sean is looking at how different agricultural practices affect soil health with a specific focus on grassland. The focus is on understanding how different practices affect the microbiology and the functions of soil e.g. carbon cycling, water cycling. Sean will look at different management practices like Organic, Regenerative and Intensive agriculture and try to determine what impact, if any, these practices will have on the biodiversity and functioning of soils. This research will look at if these practices can minimise the environmental impacts of agriculture while enhancing climate resilience and maintaining current production levels. Sean’s background is in Horticulture and Environmental Science. He has worked in Agri-retail for several years and has nearly 10 years’ experience in horticulture with specific knowledge of Organic systems. Sean has experience with most laboratory analytical equipment, health and safety procedures and Geographical Information Systems through his Environmental Science degree. Sean will be gaining experience in molecular, phenotypic and bioinformatics analysis as part of his PhD. Sean is from County Limerick and enjoys gardening, running and hiking in his spare time.

Programme Area: Environment, Soils and Land Use

Supervisors: Dr Fiona Brennan, Dr David Wall, Dr Orla O’Sullivan, and Dr Tim Mauchline (Rothamsted)

Location: Teagasc Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford

Funding: Teagasc