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Simon Watson - BSc, PhD

Simon joined the STRI Agronomy team in July 2003 to part cover Scotland. Prior to joining STRI, Simon studied for a Higher National Diploma in Applied Biology at Nottingham Trent University before a degree in Environmental Science at Coventry University.  During intervening periods in 1992-1993 and 1996-1997, he completed various contracts in the food industry, Environmental Consultancy and for the Environment Agency.

In 1997 Simon began reading for a PhD at the University of Reading.  Based in the department of Agriculture and in association with the Co-operative Wholesale Society’s farming division, Farmcare, his research investigated weed seed bank dynamics in integrated farming systems.  In 1999 he presented his findings to the European Weed Research Society in Basel Switzerland.  Having graduated in 2001, he completed 17 months post‑doctoral research for the Centre for Agri-Environmental Research, again at the University of Reading.  His post-doctoral research focused on the predation of weed seeds within arable crops with a view to optimising herbicide use in low-input farming systems.  He has presented findings from this latter study to the British Ecological Society and more recently to the Association of Applied Biologists.  

Simon is a keen sportsman and enjoys skiing but his passion is club football, which he has played since childhood.  Coming from the midlands he is a keen Aston Villa fan.

Relevant Experience:-