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Alan Dixon

Professor of Sustainable Development, University of Worcester
Alan is an interdisciplinary geographer and human ecologist with research interests in sustainable development and social-ecological systems, especially in the global south. Much of Alan's work has focused on the importance of wetland environments at the community level, where he has explored how local knowledge, social capital, nature-based solutions and common property resource institutions contribute to sustainable management strategies that produce win-win outcomes for both local peoples’ livelihoods and wetland ecosystem services.

Alan has been involved in various participatory action research and consultancy projects, ranging from ESRC-funded research examining the role of local institutional arrangements in wetland management in Ethiopia, to work undertaken for the FAO that led to the development of global Guidelines for Wetland-Agriculture Interactions. He has worked with the NGO Self Help Africa in Malawi and Zambia to develop and disseminate a climate-resilient ‘Functional Landscape Approach’ for wetland and catchment management, and in Malawi he works with sustainable agriculture NGO Tiyeni. As well as informing wetland policy-making and management practice, this work has contributed to food security and built sustainable and resilient livelihoods in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa.

Alan has co-authored two editions of ‘Africa: Diversity and Development’, which has become a key text in geography, international development, and African studies courses around the world. He also co-authored the Routledge book ‘Wetland Management and Sustainable Livelihoods in Africa,' which sets out a new agenda for wetland management in the 21st century.

Malawi farming experiment shows how simple changes can boost maize yields and improve soil

Jun 13, 2024 06:10 am UTC| Insights & Views Economy

Malawis increasingly unpredictable rainfall and higher than usual temperatures are causing problems for smallholder farmers. Soil erosion has increased, causing soil fertility and water availability to decline. Crops often...

Economy

UK Pledges £275M to Boost Skilled Workforce and Cut Reliance on Foreign Labor

The UK government has announced a 275 million ($371 million) investment to strengthen its skilled workforce, targeting critical industries like engineering and defense. Prime Minister Keir Starmer revealed the funding on...

U.S. Strikes on Iran Fuel Market Jitters, Oil Prices Expected to Spike

Global markets are bracing for volatility after the U.S. launched airstrikes on Irans nuclear facilities, a move President Donald Trump called a spectacular military success. Investors expect a sharp rise in oil prices and...

UK Unveils £10 Billion Industrial Strategy to Boost Jobs and Innovation

The UK government is set to unveil a 10-year industrial strategy aimed at boosting economic growth, job creation, and investment across high-growth sectors. Part of Prime Minister Keir Starmers Plan for Change, the...

Middle East Conflict Spurs Oil Surge and Market Uncertainty as U.S. Weighs Involvement

As tensions escalate between Israel and Iran, investors are bracing for potential U.S. military involvement and its economic ripple effects. Markets are watching closely as the Trump administration considers joining...

Russian Stocks Flat as MOEX Index Stalls, Commodities Mixed

Russian equities closed flat on Saturday, with the MOEX Russia Index posting no change at 0.00%. Market activity remained muted, with top-traded stocks like AFK Sistema PJSC (MCX:AFKS), Aeroflot PJSC (MCX:AFLT), and...

Politics

Trump’s Iran Strike Sparks Global Tensions, Risks Wider Conflict

In a stunning reversal of his long-held stance against foreign wars, U.S. President Donald Trump authorized direct strikes on Irans nuclear sites, joining Israel in escalating the Middle East conflict. The attack,...

Iran Warns of "Everlasting Consequences" After U.S. Strikes Nuclear Sites

Iran has issued a sharp warning following U.S. airstrikes on three of its nuclear facilities, declaring the attacks will bring everlasting consequences. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who also leads the countrys...

Middle East Airspace Avoided After U.S. Strikes on Iran, Airlines Reroute Flights

Airlines are continuing to reroute flights to avoid key parts of the Middle East after the U.S. carried out airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. According to FlightRadar24, commercial air traffic is steering clear of...

U.S. Lawmakers React Sharply to Trump’s Iran Airstrikes

U.S. lawmakers issued swift and polarized reactions to President Donald Trumps decision to bomb Iranian nuclear facilities early Sunday, sparking debate over legality, foreign policy, and the risk of broader conflict....

B-2 Stealth Bombers Lead Precision Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites

The U.S. Air Forces B-2 Spirit stealth bombers spearheaded a high-impact mission on Saturday, striking three of Irans key nuclear sites. President Donald Trump confirmed the very successful attack, announcing that the...

Science

SpaceX Starship Explodes in Texas During Test, Citing Nitrogen Tank Failure

SpaceXs Starship spacecraft exploded in a dramatic fireball during a late-night test at the companys Starbase facility in Brownsville, Texas, on June 18, 2025. The 400-foot Mars-bound rocket, a key part of Elon Musks...

NASA Astronauts Wilmore and Williams Recover After Boeing Starliner Delay

NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are steadily recovering after spending nine unexpected months aboard the International Space Station (ISS) due to issues with Boeings Starliner capsule. Initially intended...

SpaceX Starship Test Flight Reaches New Heights but Ends in Setback

SpaceXs massive Starship rocket, central to Elon Musks vision for interplanetary travel, launched its ninth uncrewed test flight from Starbase, Texas, on May 27, 2025. The two-stage vehiclecomprising the upper-stage...

Trump’s nomination for NASA leader boasts business and commercial spaceflight experience during a period of uncertainty for the agency

Jared Isaacman, billionaire, CEO and nominee to become the next NASA administrator, faced questions on April 9, 2025, from members of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation during his confirmation...

Lab-grown meat: you may find it icky, but it could drive forward medical research

Lab-grown meat causes heated debates. Proponents see benefits for the climate and animal welfare. Opponents worry about a Frankenstein food they regard as risky and unnatural. Whatever your opinion, the technology...

Technology

Meta and Oakley Launch AI Smart Glasses with Meta AI and Camera Features

Meta has expanded its wearable tech portfolio by partnering with Oakley to release AI-powered smart glasses, following the strong market response to its Ray-Ban Meta line. The collaboration with EssilorLuxottica, parent...

US Considers Revoking Chipmaker Authorizations in China Amid Trade Tensions

The U.S. Department of Commerce is reportedly weighing the revocation of special authorizations granted to global chipmakers Samsung, SK Hynix, and TSMC, potentially limiting their access to American chipmaking equipment...

Apple Reportedly Eyes AI Startup Perplexity Amid Rising Search Tech Competition

Apple is reportedly exploring a potential acquisition of artificial intelligence startup Perplexity, according to Bloomberg News. The internal discussions, which involve Apples MA chief Adrian Perica, services head Eddy...

Meta and Oakley Unveil AI Smart Glasses for Athletes and Adventurers

Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ: META) has partnered with Oakley to launch the Oakley Meta HSTN, a high-performance AI smart eyewear product blending advanced technology with athletic design. Targeting athletes and active...

BBC Considers Legal Action Against AI Firm Perplexity Over Content Use

The BBC is reportedly preparing legal action against AI search engine Perplexity for allegedly using its content without permission to train artificial intelligence models. According to the Financial Times, the UK public...