Francesca Boyd

Francesca Boyd is a mixed-method social scientist with a decade of experience in nature and human connection research. She is currently the principal investigator on a research project focused on nature restoration and rewilding projects in farming landscapes. Understanding the relationship and trade-offs between food production and nature restoration, the different roles of farming and other businesses, policymakers and civil society organisations, such as nature conservation groups – as well as nonhuman species. In addition, she has researched business owners’ action to engage with biodiversity priorities.

Previously Francesca work has explored how urban landscapes can be designed to foster meaningful connections between people and nature, with a particular focus on wellbeing. Her PhD at the University of Sheffield explored how tailored engagement with urban nature can enhance the mental health of university students. Francesca’s MSc thesis examined why people do not engage with the natural environment in the UK.

Francesca has coordinated EU-wide projects and developed innovative, accessible publications and outputs across projects. Last year, whilst working as a Research and Impact Fellow at the University of Exeter Business School, she published a short book which creatively showcased biodiversity research from across the University.