Helaina Black
Helaina Black is lead PI for ALTER with proficiencies in the management and scientific delivery of multi/interdisciplinary projects. More than 25 years soils research has taken her from working in soil fertility and pest management in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) for ODA to the last 15 years working on the function of soils, the role of soil biodiversity in ecosystem functioning and soil quality indicators for monitoring and valuation purposes, primarily in temperate systems. Throughout her career she has worked in multi-disciplinary teams. In the last 5 years, she has able to reinvigorate her research in SSA region through ESPA (Capacity building BESSA project NE/G008264/1) and other funders (Scottish Government, UNEP, EU) utilising skills and knowledge gained (including stable isotopes, process-function-services modelling and mapping, designing sampling and monitoring, indicators, valuation) to tackle persistent soil-related development issues. She serves on a range of national and international committees and steering groups and is an experienced facilitator, supervisor, trainer and external examiner. Several of Helaina’s current activities relate to ALTER including SG RESAS Ecosystem Services Theme, UKNEA, VNN project Agricultural Management: Valuing the impacts of ecosystem service interactions for policy effectiveness; the Ecosystem Services Partnership expert groups (e.g. Rural & Cultivated Landscapes and indicators), SCOPE RAP Benefits of Soil Carbon and SG Kulima project.