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Sam Buckton
PhD researcher in Human Geography and Environment

Profile

Biography

My current PhD research explores how evaluation can support transformations towards regenerative futures in complex social-ecological systems such as food systems (as part of the FixOurFood research programme). A key part of my research involves collaboration with North Yorkshire Council to support the evaluation of its new food strategy. Prior to this, I was a Research Assistant with FixOurFood working on designing, delivering, and analysing results of Three Horizons workshops with Yorkshire food system stakeholders to co-create transformative pathways to regenerative futures. I am also researching understandings of regenerative systems and contributing to research on food system synergies and transformational forms of governance. 
 
I have an MA in Biological Natural Sciences from the University of Cambridge and an MSc in Environmental Economics and Environmental Management from the University of York. My academic prizes include: the departmental prize (Department of Environment and Geography, University of York) for best performance in the class of 2020/21, MSc Environmental Economics and Environmental Management; the Bhagwati Prize for Biological Sciences (2018); the Frank Smart Prize for Botany (2017); and a nomination for the Elton Prize (2020). I consider myself a transdisciplinary researcher with wide-ranging research interests, including: societal transformations towards regenerative futures, especially in economics and food system contexts; regenerative social-ecological systems; transformation-focused evaluation; futures methods (particularly Three Horizons); ‘new economics’ (e.g. degrowth, feminist economics, doughnut economics, etc.); youth activism and mental health in the face of global crises; natural history and ecology (particularly in relation to plant galls); and nature conservation.
 
I am a Research Associate with Global Assessment for a New Economics (GANE), a Fellow with Collaborative for Bioregional Action Learning & Transformation (COBALT), and a Youth Advisory Board member for the University of Hull’s Energy and Environment Institute project exploring youth-led adaptation to climate change in Vietnam (YACC). I have also worked with numerous British nature conservation NGOs, and with the University of Cambridge to produce its Biodiversity Baseline Summary Report and Biodiversity Action Plan, and design the Cambridge Biodiversity Metric.
 
Outside of academia, I am a keen naturalist and pan-species lister. I am Vice-Chair of the British Plant Gall Society and Yorkshire Plant Gall Recorder for the Yorkshire Naturalists' Union. I also enjoy playing badminton and ukulele.

Career

Selected appointments
  • Jan 2024 to present: Fellow, Collaborative for Bioregional Action Learning & Transformation (COBALT)
  • 1 Oct 2022 - present: PhD in Human Geography and Environment, Department of Environment and Geography, University of York – research question 'How can learning and evaluation platforms support food system transformations?'
  • July 2021 to present: Research Associate, GANE, University of York
  • Oct 2020 to present: Youth Advisory Board member, Energy and Environment Institute, University of Hull, 'Youth-led adaptation to climate change challenges in Vietnam' (YACC) project (voluntary role)
  • March 2022 to present: Vice-Chair, British Plant Gall Society (voluntary role)
  • Oct 2021 to present: Yorkshire Plant Gall Recorder, Yorkshire Naturalists' Union / British Plant Gall Society (voluntary role – duties include verification of records on iRecord, record collation and report-writing)
  • Feb-Oct 2022: Research Assistant, FixOurFood programme, Department of Environment and Geography, University of York (assisting Three Horizons processes with Yorkshire food system stakeholders and researching concept of regenerative systems)
  • Oct 2021 to Jan 2022: research assistant for Lee Eyre, I-Performance Ltd, Bournemouth, Dorset (culture change within Natural England towards an evidence-led organisation)
  • July-Nov 2021: research assistant, Laudes Foundation, sub-contracted by Demos Helsinki and GANE (landscape review of 'new economics' thinking challenging neoliberalism)
  • Apr-Aug 2020 and Oct 2019 to Mar 2020: Biodiversity Assistant, Environment and Energy Section, University of Cambridge
  • Oct 2019 to Oct 2020: Tomorrow's Natural Leader, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, York
Education (selection)
  • MSc Environmental Economics and Environmental Management (Distinction, highest in cohort), Department of Environment and Geography, University of York, 2020-21
  • MA Natural Sciences (Biological) (Class I), University of Cambridge, 2015-18

Research

Overview

My PhD research explores how evaluation can support transformations towards regenerative futures in complex social-ecological systems such as food systems (as part of the FixOurFood research programme).  There are growing calls for societies to transform towards regenerative futures that support the flourishing of life and transcend interlinked social and ecological crises. Many actors are now trying to identify whether desired transformations are occurring, and how different interventions are contributing to transformation. These are questions of evaluation. However, many mainstream Western evaluation techniques were not designed for contexts of transformation. Despite growing interest in more transformation-focused evaluation approaches, there remains limited understanding of the different dimensions of what such approaches entail, and few case studies of their application. I plan to carry out reviews of regenerative system concepts and principles and methodologies for transformation-focused evaluation, as well as action research with North Yorkshire Council to co-design a transformation-focused evaluation approach for the Council's new food strategy. My methodological approaches are typically qualitative, inductive, action-oriented, co-creative, and adaptive. They include integrative review, scoping review, literature synthesis, semi-structured interviews, co-creation, action research, and inductive thematic analysis.

Publications

Full publications list

Published or in press

  • Buckton SJ (2024) Corrections and additions to the third edition of British Plant Galls: 1st instalment. Cecidology 39(1), 45-64.

  • Seawright J, Buckton SJ (2024) Putative galls of Aceria unguiculata (Canestrini) (Eriophyoidea: Eriophyidae) on Box Buxus sempervirens L. at Kingston Lacy, Dorset. Cecidology 39(1), 28-29.

  • Newman RJS, Enns C, Capitani C, Thorn JPR, Courtney-Mustaphi CJ, Buckton SJ, Om ES, Fazey I, Haji TA, Nchimbi AY, Kariuki R, Marchant RA (2024) ‘Kesho’ scenario development for supporting water-energy-food security under uncertain future conditions in Zanzibar. Land 13, 195. https://doi.org/10.3390/land13020195 

  • Jones L, Parsons KJ, Halstead F, Ngoc DN, Pham HTM, Pham D-L, Allison CR, Chew M, Bird E, Meek A, Buckton SJ, Khang LN, Williams AL, Võ TT, Lê H, Nguyễn ATQ, Hackney CR, Parsons DR (2023) Conversations on grief and hope: a collaborative autoethnographic account exploring the lifeworlds of international youth engaged with climate action. Journal of the British Academy 11(s3), 69-117. https://doi.org/10.5871/jba/011s3.069

  • Buckton SJ, Fazey I, Sharpe B, Om ES, Doherty B, Ball P, Denby K, Bryant M, Lait R, Bridle S, Cain M, Carmen E, Collins L, Nixon N, Yap C, Connolly A, Fletcher B, Frankowska A, Gardner G, James A, Kendrick I, Kluczkovski A, Mair S, Morris B, Sinclair M (2023) The Regenerative Lens: A conceptual framework for regenerative social-ecological systems. One Earth 6(7), 824-842. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oneear.2023.06.006 

  • Buckton SJ (2023) Putative galls of Cenopalpus spinosus (Donnadieu, 1875) (Acari: Tetanychoidea: Tenuipalpidae) on Cornelian Cherry Cornus mas L. at the Yorkshire Arboretum. Cecidology 38(2), 101-103.

  • Buckton SJ (2023) A provisional key to eriophyoid mite erinea on Acer in Britain. Cecidology 38(1), 14-50.

  • Thomas JV, Buckton SJ (2023) If you go down to the woods today, you're sure of a small surprise... A tardigrade survey in and around York. The Naturalist 149, 29-37.

  • Buckton SJ (2023) Liriomyza eupatorii (Kaltenbach) (Diptera, Agromyzidae) new to Scotland. Dipterists Digest 30, 68-69.

  • Buckton SJ (2022) The rare dock smut fungus Microbotryum parlatorei (Fischer von Waldheim) Vánky rediscovered in Yorkshire. Cecidology 37(2), 99-101.

  • Buckton SJ, Thomas J (2022) A review of Ozirhincus (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) and associated parasitoids in the British Isles, with recent observations from York. Cecidology 37(2), 108-116.

  • Buckton SJ (2022) The rust fungus Puccinia ptarmicae on Sneezewort Achillea ptarmica: surely a gall-causer? Cecidology 37(2), 128-129.

  • Thomas J, Buckton SJ (2022) The mites Riccardoella limacum (Schrank, 1776) and R. oudemansi Thor, 1932 (Trombidiformes: Ereynetidae) parasitic on molluscs at St Nicholas Fields, York. Journal of Conchology 44(4), 349-353.

  • Buckton SJ (2022) Notable Yorkshire gall records from iRecord. Cecidology 37(1), 9-14.

  • Buckton SJ (2022) Lessons from verifying Yorkshire galls and gall-causers on iRecord. Cecidology 37(1), 28-40.

  • Buckton SJ, Thomas J (2021) The St Nicks Slug Crib. The Naturalist 146, 182-195.

  • Buckton SJ (2021) The gall mite Aceria brachytarsus (Keifer, 1939) new to Britain on walnut (Juglans regia L.) at Downing College, Cambridge. Cecidology 36(2), 108-110.

  • Buckton SJ (2021) Wildwatching in a pandemic: notable species found at St Nicholas Fields, York, in 2020. The Naturalist 146, 96-101.

  • Buckton SJ (2021) Pasties and pygmies: the plant galls and leaf-miners of the Cambridge University Botanic Garden. Nature in Cambridgeshire 63, 5-19.

  • Buckton SJ (2021) Watch your walnuts: the gall mite Aceria brachytarsus new to Britain from Downing College, Cambridge. Nature in Cambridgeshire 63, 19-21.

  • Buckton SJ (2021) New hosts for Aceria cerrea (Nalepa) in the UK? Cecidology 36(1), 7-9.

  • Buckton SJ (2021) Notes on Galium flower galls from observations in York. Cecidology 36(1), 23-29.

  • Bladon A, Lewis M, Bladon E, Buckton SJ, Corbett S, Ewing S, Hayes M, Hitchcock G, Knock R, Lucas C, McVeigh A, Menendez R, Walker J, Fayle T, Turner E (2020) How butterflies keep their cool: physical and ecological traits influence thermoregulatory ability and population trends. Journal of Animal Ecology 89(11), 2440-2450. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2656.13319 (nominated for 2020 Elton Prize, and one of the journal’s top ten most downloaded papers)

  • Buckton SJ (2020) Field Note: Ahoy there! The Nationally Scarce pirate spider Ero aphana new to Yorkshire. The Naturalist 145, 180-182. https://www.ynu.org.uk/about-the-ynu/publications/download-page?task=download.send&id=224&catid=2&m=0 

  • Buckton S (2020) Gobions Wood: an important site for bryophytes in Hertfordshire. The Hertfordshire Naturalist 52(1), 41-45.

  • Buckton S (2020) Blepharidopterus diaphanus (Kirschbaum, 1856) (Heteroptera: Miridae) and Ichneumon stramentor (Rasnitsyn, 1981) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) new to Scotland, amongst other notable invertebrates discovered at RSPB Scotland Loch Lomond during summer 2019. The Glasgow Naturalist 27(2). https://doi.org/10.37208/tgn27210

Under review

  • Kenter J, Buckton SJ, Martino S, Agarwal B, Anger-Kraavi A, Costanza R, Hejnovic AP, Jones P, Kabubo-Mariara J, Lafayette JO, Mukherjee N, Pickett KE, Riedy C, Waddell S, Waddock S (under review) Ten principles for transforming economics in a time of global crises. Nature Sustainability

  • Buckton SJ, Fazey I, Ball P, Ofir Z, Colvin J, Darby M, Hejnowicz AP, Leicester G, Newman R, Page GG, Parsons K, van Mierlo B (under review) Twelve principles for transformation-focused evaluation. PLOS Sustainability and Transformation

  • Buckton SJ, Fazey I, Carmen E, Ball P, Bryant M, Connolly A, Denby K, Doherty B, Morris B, Stewart S, Cain M, Nixon N, Om ES, Sharpe B, Sinclair M, Yap C, Frenneux T, Gledhill D, Lait R, Pickett KE, Frankowska A (under review) Transformative action towards regenerative food systems: A large-scale case study. PLOS Sustainability and Transformation. A preprint of this paper was consistently one of the most downloaded papers on SSRN (measured over the last 60 days).

  • Buckton SJ, Kenter JO, Martino S, Waddock S, Fazey I, Locy K, Lafayette JO, Hejnowicz AP, Scarr C (under review) Reform or transform? A spectrum of attitudes within the new economics discourse towards the economic status quo. Global Social Challenges

  • Page GG, Buckton SJ, Cabaj M, Goldman I, McKegg K, Mukte M, Patton MQ, Rizzo H (under review) State of the Practice Panel Evaluation and Assessment of Transformation: A case study of response to the polycrisis. Social Innovations Journal

  • Goldstein BE, Buckton SJ, Goldstein VN, Gwiszcz J,  Ives CD, Ogden C, Pereira CA, Onyango J, Ritter L, Schäpke N, Spiller K (under review) Sensemaking the Transformations Community’s Future. Social Innovations Journal

  • Buckton SJ (under review) The terrestrial flatworm Marionfyfea adventor Jones & Sluys (2016) (Platyhelminthes: Tricladida: Geoplanidae) new to Yorkshire from St Nicholas Fields LNR, York. The Naturalist

Book sections

  • Buckton S (2022) Caddisflies (in Chapter 8: Butterflies, moths and caddisflies). In Hill M (ed.) The Nature of Cambridge. Pisces Publications, Newbury, UK. 

Reports (selection)

Other documents (selection)

  • Buckton S (2024) Regenerative Systems. Blog for FixOurFood.

  • Buckton SJ (2023) Yorkshire Plant Gall Recorder’s report for 2022. The Naturalist 148(1114), 179-183.

  • Buckton SJ (2022) Yorkshire Plant Gall Recorder’s report for 2021. The Naturalist 147, 114-125.

  • Buckton S (2022) Reserve Focus: St Nicholas Fields LNR. British Wildlife 33(6), 431-436.

  • Buckton SJ (2022) A provisional key to eriophyoid mite erinea on Acer in Britain. Online resource available via the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union.

A photograph of Sam Buckton

Contact details

Sam Buckton
PhD researcher in Human Geography and Environment
Department of Environment and Geography
University of York
Wentworth Way
Heslington
York
YO10 5NG