Dr Lucy Crockford

Supervisor Details

Contact Details

Agriculture and Environment, Harper Adams University

Scientific Background

Research Interests

My research at Harper Adams University is primarily in the application of organic amendments to soils and the impact on soil structure and water movement dynamics - as well as the resulting water quality. I'm also very interested in catchments with high sediment movement and those catchments where nutrient pollution is an issue to be solved. I am leading three Innovate UK projects ranging from £80K to £1m over 1.5 to 2 year periods. The projects are focused on using amendments to improve soils and filters to improve water.

Scientific Inspiration

I've been inspired over the years by tutors that taught me at school, uni and in my peer group. I find the work done by Prof Helen Jarvie particularly important and of course my own PhD supervisors and advisors continue to inspire me. I aim to emulate how I've been supported by all of them.

Research Groups

Soil & Water Science Group

Supervision Style

In three words or phrases: supportive, engaging, collaborative.

Provision of Training

Your level of training should reflect your experience. If you are highly experienced, I expect you to be independent but if you are lacking in experience then you will be trained until you're confident.

Progression Monitoring and Management

Working towards a PhD is a real process and requires you to take ownership of your work but you will be expected to update me frequently on your progress and to develop your confidence to become an expert in your field.

Communication

I work somewhat irregular hours but actually as a PhD candidate the most important thing for you is structure and consistency. I'm happy to work towards your "normal" and can be a listening ear when you need it. I was given great support during my PhD and try to give the same support to my students. You can expect a boundary when I need one though.

Meetings

PhD Students can expect scheduled meetings with me at least once per fortnight. These meetings will be a mixture of face-to-face and via video chat or telephone. I am usually contactable for an instant response 3 or 4 days per week.

Work Patterns

The timing of work in my lab is completely flexible, and (other than attending pre-arranged meetings) I expect students to manage their own time.

Notice Period for Feedback

I need at least 2 weeks' notice to provide feedback on written work of up to 5,000 words.

MIBTP Project Details

Primary supervisor for:

Bio-Based Subsurface Drainage Systems for Sustainable Land Drainage and Soil Bioremediation

See the PhD Opportunities section to see if this project is currently open for applications via MIBTP.

Please Note: The main page lists projects via BBSRC Research Theme(s) quoted and then relevant Topic(s).

Bio-Based Subsurface Drainage Systems for Sustainable Land Drainage and Soil Bioremediation

Secondary Supervisor(s): Dr Simon Cooper, Dr Paula Misiewicz

University of Registration: Harper Adams University

BBSRC Research Themes:

Renewable Resources and Clean Growth (Industrial Biotechnology)
Understanding the Rules of Life (Microbiology, Soil Science)

Project Outline

Land drainage has been a key factor in realising the production potential of agricultural land for food production but has wider environmental impacts.

This project will investigate the use of bio-based materials to promote denitrification of nitrate-enriched drainage waters. Effectiveness of biotech systems is largely reliant on the microbial communities with varying co-metabolic pathways across anoxia with improved in-situ nutrient attenuation and other co-benefits achieved through bio-manipulation.

Methodology

The project will evaluate the conditions to improve the hydraulic, biogeochemical, and environmental performance of biological drainage media through a combination of laboratory experiments, field trials, and numerical modelling.

Using an established research protocol, this project will characterise a range of candidate materials (e.g. hardwood and softwood chips, biochar, and other organic media) for physical and chemical parameters with potential for bioaugmentation to improve the effectiveness of denitrification. Experimental field-scale bioreactors and drainage trenches will be established to compare drainage performance, nutrient removal efficiency, greenhouse gas emissions, and operational longevity under varying soil and climatic conditions. The contribution of nitrifier denitrification, the role of mycorrhizal fungi and potentially other microbes in bioreactor performance will clarify the UK implementation of these biological systems.

Finally, modelling will be used to optimise system design and evaluate the economic benefits of the novel systems.

Expected Outcomes

The project will establish the scientific and engineering basis for bio-based subsurface drainage systems capable of delivering effective land drainage while simultaneously reducing nutrient losses, improving soil ecological function, and lowering the environmental footprint of agricultural drainage infrastructure.