Academic profile
Brandon is a PhD candidate in Land Economy at the University of Cambridge and a researcher at the Centre for Resilience and Sustainable Development (CRSD). His research focuses on the Reverse Economies of Scale (REOS) framework, a systems-based approach that advocates for community-centric investments to enhance sustainability, equity, and resilience. By integrating systems theory, participatory planning, and ecological economics, his work challenges traditional development models and emphasises localised, context-specific strategies for sustainable investment. As part of his doctoral research, Brandon contributes to the Food for Good action-research project in collaboration with UN Tourism and the TUI Care Foundation. This initiative addresses food system sustainability within the tourism sector, focusing on reducing waste, enhancing circularity, and strengthening local food production. His work supports the development of the Global Impact Roadmap 2040, providing policy recommendations and piloting sustainable food system interventions in Cabo Verde as scalable models for global application. Brandon has also worked on the Their Future, Our Action initiative with the Commonwealth Secretariat, where he helped design innovative finance frameworks for Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Additionally, he collaborates with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on the THRIVE action-research programme, working with ministers and deputy ministers from the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region to develop best practices in agricultural policy, innovation, and sustainable resource management. His research aims to advance resilient and sustainable development strategies globally.
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Teaching
I have taught or am currently teaching on the following papers: Paper 4, Paper 11, and Paper 17
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Research interests
Brandon’s research centres on rethinking sustainable investment strategies through the development of the Reverse Economies of Scale (REOS) framework, which advocates for community-centric approaches to addressing sustainability challenges. His work integrates systems theory, participatory planning, and ecological economics to explore how investments can be localised to maximise social, economic, and environmental benefits while enhancing resilience and equity. This includes examining how smaller-scale, context-specific investments can better navigate the complexities of socio-economic systems and overcome the limitations of large-scale, top-down development models. His research employs a combination of theoretical synthesis and Participatory Action Research (PAR), applying these methodologies in action-research collaborations such as the Food for Good project, which focuses on sustainable food systems in tourism, and the THRIVE programme, aimed at improving agricultural policies and innovations across the Near East and North Africa. Ultimately, his work seeks to provide practical frameworks for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers to drive sustainable and inclusive development at the community level. |
Category/Classification
Community Development, Sustainable Investment, Food Systems, Sustainable Tourism, Public Policy, Action Research, Transdisciplinary Research |