Jules is an agricultural and environmental economist who works as both a consultant and a researcher, and publishes academic and policy papers based on his experience and investigations. He began his career as a Peace Corps volunteer in Senegal, living for two years in a remote village while working as an agricultural extension agent. He has also lived in Ethiopia, Malta and Tanzania.  

His PhD examined the local knowledge informing the natural resource management decisions of small-scale farmers in Tanzania. It explored how their thinking is affected by shifting resource constraints and exposure to external knowledge, and how different farmers negotiate such dynamics.  

His consulting has focused largely on Sub-Saharan Africa. Clients have included charities like CARE and Oxfam, international organisations like UNDP and UNEP, and donors like DFID and the EU.  

His expertise covers small-scale agriculture, climate change mitigation and adaptation, rural livelihood innovations, agri-food applications of microalgae, and impact assessment. 

Jules’ research examines options to foster sustainable, climate smart livelihoods for farmers and innovations that could work for both people and planet. This includes gathering empirical evidence using mixed methods, combining quantitative and qualitative data, and emphasising the voices of farmers and other local actors.   

He is currently assessing the efficacy and impacts of several microalgal technologies in real world settings. Specifically, he is investigating the scope for microalgal biofertilisers, biostimulants and livestock feeds to reduce risks to farming and food supplies stemming from climate change in Kenya and Malta. This includes examining the potential and limits of these technologies as well as factors affecting technology adoption.