Frances Ryan
Research Associate

Profile

Biography

Frances joined the Air Quality, Climate and Environmental Change group in 2026 to support work between the private-sector and air pollution. Frances is no stranger to the University of York, having completed a BSc in Environmental Science and MSc in Corporate Social Responsibility with Environmental Management at the university. The MSc Project was completed alongside the Stockholm Environment Institute and explored corporate social responsibility and rice farming in India.

Most recently, Frances worked at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies at the University of Edinburgh, focusing on the environmental assessment of livestock, predominantly in India, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Ethiopia. The work explored livestock’s role in terms of human livelihoods and nutrition. Frances explored farmer interventions, including vaccines, and worked with the private-sector, farming communities and government policymakers. Frances employs systems-thinking, being interested in the policy and business landscape and relationships between air, soil, land, water and disease. Other work has explored naturally occurring substances in air and soil and the role of university campuses and the biodiversity challenge.

Frances completed her PhD at the University of Edinburgh in collaboration with Scotland’s Rural College, providing an assessment approach for understanding macronutrient (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) use in Scottish agriculture.