Rachel Irwin
Walsh ScholarResearch Interests
Growing up on a drystock farm in the west of Ireland nurtured my interest in agroecology, sustainable food production and policy.
Throughout academia, I have developed a keen research interest in agroforestry and the benefits it provides both to the individual farmer, and furthermore wider society. I believe that it is a major tool in climate change mitigation and adaption.
Current Projects
My current research project “Increasing tree cover on dairy and drystock farms; the main barriers and perceptions that impede agroforestry uptake” aims to identify the attitudes, willingness and intentions of Irish dairy and drystock farmers to plant trees in the form of agroforestry and the barriers to adoption.
The project also discusses the impacts of trees and agroforestry on biodiversity, carbon sequestration, ecosystem services and livestock production; to inform policy and create management guidelines. The impact of terminology on farmers’ decision making is also investigated.”
Education
- B.Sc. (Hons) Zoology with Conservation, Bangor University, Wales.
- Irwin, R., Short, I., Mohammadrezaei, M. and Ní Dhubháin, Á. (2023). Increasing tree cover on Irish dairy and drystock farms: The main attitudes, influential bodies and barriers that affect agroforestry uptake. Environmental Science & Policy 146: 76-89.
- Irwin, R., Ní Dhubháin, Á. and Short, I. (2022). Irish dairy and drystock farmers’ attitudes and perceptions to planting trees and adopting agroforestry practices on their land. Environmental Challenges 9, 100636. DOI: 10.1016/j.envc.2022.100636.
- Irwin, R., Short, I. and Ní Dhubháin, Á. (2022) Increasing tree cover on Irish dairy and drystock farms: what are the main barriers and perceptions that impede agroforestry uptake? Forestry & Energy Review 12(1): 50-51.
- Presentation (YouTube) to the sixth European Agroforestry Conference, Nuoro, Italy, 19 May 2022.
- Irwin, Dhubháin, Short and Mohammadrezai (2022) Increasing tree cover on Irish dairy and drystock farms: the main barriers and perceptions that impede agroforestry uptake. Presentation at 6th European Agroforestry Conference, 19/05/2022.
- Irwin (2022) Increasing tree cover on Irish dairy and drystock farms: the main barriers and perceptions that impede agroforestry uptake. UCD College of Health and Agricultural Sciences Graduate Research Student Symposium. 08/04/2022
- Irwin (2021) Increasing tree cover on Irish dairy and drystock farms: Main barriers and perceptions to agroforestry uptake. Teagasc weekly sheep conference call, 21/09/2021.