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Welcome to the inaugural edition of our Early-Career Chronicles series, where we delve into the lives of the individuals and professionals navigating the crossroads of agriculture and technology within the Early-Career Innovators’ Forum (ECIF).
Through a set of quick-fire questions, we’ll present the diverse paths of ECIF participants, exploring the unique perspectives of the trail-blazers shaping the future of this ever-evolving industry.
This month we’re featuring the first ECIF participant to be awarded a certificate as part of our new ECIF Programme!
Who am I?
Name: Jas Atkins
Job and employer: Assistant Research Consultant, Vegetable Consultancy Services (VCS) Ltd
ECIF Programme join date: 13th November 2023
ECIF milestone reached (to date): Bronze Certificate (10 ECIF points)
Quirky fact about your job: Despite being part of a relatively small team, at VCS we collectively look after around 50% of UK onions and 40% of UK carrots and parsnips.
What do you like most about the agricultural sector?
The agricultural sector is exciting due to its complexity, unpredictability, and volatility! I have always been interested in plant science and understanding how plants adapt and defend themselves in ever-changing environments.
After my summer placement at VCS in 2021 my interest focussed on food crops, and the challenges involved in feeding the human population in the face of climate change.
I think that the fast-paced innovation and research being conducted to try and sustainably optimise agricultural processes and engineer our crop plants is what makes the agricultural sector so exciting and why I wanted to be involved in it.
What ECIF events have you taken part in?
I was fortunate enough to attend the REAP Conference last year on behalf of VCS. This event provided so much insight to the agricultural sector and all the interrelated industries that cross it. It was a great opportunity to network with people at different stages within their career and to gain more awareness of the emerging technologies and research.
The tour of the John Innes Centre glasshouses and insectary which was great as well, particularly to meet other ECIF members and to connect with like minded people.
Through both events I have connected with lots of people through LinkedIn and have been in conversations with lots of people to find out more about the work they are conducting.
Who would you like to meet through the ECIF Programme?
I joined the ECIF programme as a way to connect with other people just starting out in their careers. It’s a great way to network with like-minded people at the same time as learning more about agriculture, industry and the research being conducted.
I would like to keep meeting more people who have a shared interest in agricultural innovation and to carry on building my network.
Where do you see yourself professionally in 10 years’ time?
My long-term goal is to do my part in bridging the gap between research institutes and agriculture. Whilst also helping to inspire younger generations to get involved with agricultural research such as trials.
In ten years’ time I would like to be running highly-scientific, in-field research trials that brings the research being conducted into an agricultural setting. I also hope that I will be conducting outreach events to showcase the practical side of agricultural work and how integral it is so the global food system.
I am hopeful that by this time – and with my involvement – more sustainable farming practises will be implemented in combination with genetic technologies to sustainably optimise yields and maintain healthy crops.
Are there any tips you’d like to share with the ECIF community?
I think the most important thing to do whilst being a part of the ECIF community is to immerse yourself in it as fully as you can and to get involved in whatever is on offer.
All the events are so interesting and such a great way to network and meet people who have similar goals and it is a great way to learn from one another.
The Early-Career Innovators’ Forum (ECIF) is a platform uniting early career individuals passionate about agricultural innovation.
Join the ECIF Programme to enhance your knowledge and network in agriculture, and to attend free activities, including research, farm and industry visits, an annual conference, and professional skills webinars. Explore more about ECIF and how to join here.
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