Liz Dinnie

Qualitative Social Researcher
Social, Economic and Geographical Sciences
E: liz.dinnie@hutton.ac.uk
T: +44 (0)1224 395388 (*)
I am a sociologist working as a qualitative social researcher in the Social, Economic and Geographical Sciences Department (SEGS). I am in the Sustainable Transitions and Behaviours Group. I have worked at the Institute since 2009 following a post-doc at the University of Sussex. My undergraduate and postgraduate degrees were at the University of Aberdeen. My PhD looked at the relationship between knowledge, authority and social order in a spiritual community. I live in Aberdeenshire.

Research

My research interests are around social change, governance, sustainability and justice, including food and climate justice. I am interested in the ways in which different groups draw on knowledge and understandings, and how this influences relationships and institutional formation. I am also interested in the ways in which knowledge and authority enables and/or constrains forms of resistance and control, and the role of knowledge and power in socio-technical change.

My research topics include rural  and urban communities; community-led action tackling climate change; relationships between community food growing, local food systems and household food security. Increasingly I am looking at food systems including beyond the farm gate, and how food policy can take a systems-led approach to ensure food justice at all levels.

Previous projects have included looking at conflict management between different land users; the relationship between the natural environment and human health; and the cultural/institutional aspects of hunting in Scotland, including cultural traditions but also property rights.

I use primarily qualitative methods to understand how people construct meanings about (and hence make sense of) the world around them from their everyday experiences, and how these meanings create the cultural patterns, norms and institutions which make up society. My work mostly delivers to Hutton’s Science Challenge 3 – delivering technical and social innovations that support sustainable and resilient communities.

Current and recent projects:

MOVING (https://www.moving-h2020.eu/):  Mountain value chains for resilience and Green Growth (Horizon 2020, 2020-2024)

Incentivising fruit and vegetable production for food security and healthy diets (Scottish Government, 2022-27)

Barriers and drivers of novel crops in the Scottish agricultural landscape (Scottish Government, 2022-27)

The role of locally grown food in enhancing household food security and community resilience, funded by Scottish Government, 2016-2021

Future Food – the role of Controlled Environment Agriculture in sustainable food systems (Seedcorn project 2019-20)

Citizen Social Science and local food growing (Seedcorn project 2017-18)

  • TESS – Towards European Societal Sustainability, funded by the European Commission, grant agreement 603705, 2013-2016 ( www.tess-transition.eu)
  • HUNTing for Sustainability, funded by European Commission’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7)
  • Governance and decision-making for community empowerment in rural communities, and
  • Understanding the linkages and interdependencies between rural and urban areas, both funded under the Rural and Environment Science and Analytical Services (RESAS) Division set up by the Scottish Government.
  • ClimateXChange (Scotland’s Centre of Expertise on Climate Change), funded by Scottish Government

Publications

Journals

Prior to appointment

  • Dinnie, E.; Browne, K. (2010) Findhorn and the sexual self., In: Munt, S., Brown, K. & Yip, A. (eds.). Queer Spiritual Spaces. Ashgate Publishing Ltd., Farnham, Surrey, Chapter 7, pp169-210.

Books / chapters

  • Galan-Diaz, C.; Conniff, A.; Craig, T. (2014) Using Nvivo for handling large data sets: a case study., In: Paulus, T., Lester, J. & Dempster, P. (eds.). Digital Tools for Qualitative Research. Sage, London, pp121-122.

Technical / contract reports

  • Dinnie, L.; Mzek, T.; Piras, S. (2024) Milestone 4.1.1 “Focus groups to discuss Scotland’s rural dwellers’ perceptions of novel crops and novel production systems”, Project “The impact of novel crops and farming practices on the Scottish agricultural landscape” [not published]
  • Maclean, L.; Marshall, K.; Patil, I.; Bruce, F.; Chabdu, A. ; Dinnie, L. (2022) Deconstructing the Discourses of Controlled Environment Agriculture(s) , OSF Preprints
  • Maclean, L.; Marshall, K.; Patil, I.; Bruce, F.; Chabdu, A. ; Dinnie, L. (2022) Deconstructing the Discourses of Controlled Environment Agriculture(s) , OSF Preprints
  • Irvine, K.N.; Msika, J.; Dinnie, E.; Craig, T.; Fischer, A.; Hague, A.; Rajagopalan, D.; Roberts, M.; Wilson, R. (2020) Climate change engagement: assessing the impacts of the Climate Challenge Fund., ClimateXChange Report, 164pp.
  • Blackstock, K.L.; Calo, A.; Currie, M.; Dinnie, L.; Eastwood, A.; MacLeod, K.; Matthews, K.B.; McKee, A.; Miller, D.R.; Nijnik, M.; Sutherland,L-A.; Waylen, K.A. (2020) Issues arising from SLC’s Interim Report on Regional Land Use Partnerships – Evidence from the Scottish Government Strategic Research Programme 2016-2021, Scottish Land Commission, Advice to Scottish Government on Regional Land Use Partnership, Appendix 3, 33pp.
  • Dinnie, E.; Holstead, K.; Hopkins, J.; Msika, J. (2017) Local food growing and household food insecurity., RESAS Report, 22pp.
  • Dinnie, E.; Hopkins, J.; Msika, J. (2017) Glossary of key terms., RESAS deliverable.
  • Dinnie, E.; Msika, J. (2016) WP 5: Engaging community practitioners, citizens and stakeholders. D5.2: Information sheets on delivering successful initiatives., TESS Project Report to EU- Deliverable 5.2.
  • Dinnie, E.; Msika, J.; Holsten, A.; Landholm, D.; Revell, P. (2016) WP5: Engaging community practitioners, citizens and stakeholders. D5.4: Training in assessment strategies., TESS – D5.4 Deliverable Report, 6pp.
  • Dinnie, E.; Holstead, K.; Hopkins, J.; Msika, J. (2016) Enquiry into local food growing: summary., RESAS deliverable O4 in RD3.3.2.
  • Lackova, P.; Dinnie, E. (2016) Heat pump user behaviour and satisfaction. 2 phase survey in Orkney. Final report., Scottish Government Report.
  • Buser, M.; Rose, E.; Dinnie, E.; Hall, R.; Mean, M.; Hurley, P. (2014) Foodscapes., Connected Communities Summary Report, 2014, 11pp.
  • Littlewood, N.A.; Campbell, R.D.; Dinnie, L.; Gilbert, L.; Hooper, R.; Iason, G.; Irvine, R.J.; Kilshaw, L.; Kitchener, A.; Lackova, P.; Newey, S.; Ogden, R.; Ross, A. (2014) Survey and scoping of wildcat priority areas., Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report, No 768.
  • Littlewood, N.A.; Dinnie, E.; Gilbert, L.; Hooper, R.J.; Iason, G.R.; Irvine, R.J.; Lackova, P.; Newey, S. (2013) Scoping and survey of wildcat priority areas: interim report., Unpublished Report to Scottish Natural Heritage, November 2013.
  • Rivington, M.; Dinnie, E.; Craig, T.; Heslop, S.; Slee, B.; Matthews, R.; Nijnik, M.; Morris, S.; Stewart, D.; Martin-Ortega, J.; Dawson, L.A.; Daniell, T. (2013) Climate: public understanding and policy implications., The James Hutton Institute response to the UK Parliament House of Commons Select Committee Inquiry, April 2013.
  • McKee, A.; Dinnie, E.; Matthews, R. (2013) Community Empowerment and Renewal Bill., The James Hutton Institute Consultation Response to the Scottish Government.
  • Roberts, D.; Thomson, K.; Dinnie, L.; Brown, K.; Martin-Ortega, J.; McKee, A.; Prager, K.; Pages, M.; Towers, W.; Munoz-Rojas, J.; Slee, B. (2013) Improving implementationn and increasing uptake of measures to improve water quality in Scotland: key messages for informing policy makers., Scottish Government Land Reform Review Group (LRRG): Call for Evidence – Submission on behalf of the James Hutton Institute, Aberdeen, 11 January 2013.
  • Dinnie, E. (2013) The impact of wind farms on Scottish tourism., Climate X Change, Scotland’s Centre of Expertise Connecting Climate Change Research and Policy.
  • Miller, D.R.; Morrice, J.; Aspinall, P.; Brown, K.M.; Cummins, R.; Dinnie, E.; Gilbert, A.; Hester, A.J.; Horne, P.; Mitchell, R.; Morris, S.; Roe, J.; Thompson, C.W. (2012) Contribution of green and open space in public health and well-being., Scottish Government, Green Health Progress Report, 2012. Project No. MLU/ECA/UGW/847/08
  • Miller, D.R.; Morrice, J.; Aspinall, P.; Brewer, M.; Brown, K.; Cummins, R.; Dinnie, E.; Donaldson-Selby, G.; Hester, A.J.; Horne, P.; Mitchell, R.; Morris, S.; Munoz-Rojas, J. (2012) GreenHealth progress report., Project Progress Report May 2012.
  • McKee, A.; Dinnie, E.; Fischer, A.; Irvine, R.J. (2012) Developing a new vision for deer management: from species management to an ecosystem approach., In: Hunting for Sustainability – A summary of research findings from the Scottish case study (eds. S. Redpath, A. Davies and Irvine, R.J.). April 2012.
  • Miller, D.R.; Morrice, J.G.; Aspinall, P.; Brown, K.; Cummins, R.; Dinnie, E.; Gilbert, A.; Hester, A.; Horne, P.; Mitchell, R.; Morris, S.; Roe, J.; Ward Thompson, C. (2011) Contribution of green and open space in public health and well-being., RERAD, Scottish Government, Progress Report 2010/11. Project no. MLU/ECA/UGW/847/08.
  • Miller, D.R.; Morrice, J.G.; Aspinall, P.; Brown, K.; Cummins, R.; Dinnie, E.; Gilbert, A.; Hester, A.J.; Horne, P.L.; Mitchell, R.; Morris, S.; Roe, J.; Ward Thompson, C. (2011) GreenHealth., RERAD, Scottish Government, Progress Report, 2010/11.
  • Blackstock, K.L.; Dilley, R.; Dinnie, E. (2009) Evaluating the Cairngorms National Park Planning Process – Report to CNPA Board., Paper appended to meeting papers for Cairngorms National Park Authority Informal Board Meeting, 27 November 2009.

Conference papers

  • Dinnie, L. (2020) Time for transformation? Technology and localism for a sustainable future food system., International Association People – Environment Studies (IAPS), 26th IAPS Online Conference, Quebec, Canada, 22-26 June 2020. PowerPoint presentation
  • Dinnie, E.; Hare, M. (2019) Urban food production and household food poverty – what are the barriers to integration?, Just Food Futures, Annual Meeting of the RGS Food Study Working Group, Sheffield, UK, 8-10 July 2019. Powerpoint presentation, 20 slides.
  • Dinnie, E.; Kyle, C.; Marshall, K. (2019) Can local food growing really help to deliver more sustainable food systems? Linking everyday practices with macro social change., Sixth BSA Food Study Group Conference: Food Systems and Society, Monash University, Prato, Italy, 24-25 June 2019. Powerpoint presentation, 9 slides.
  • Dinnie, E. (2018) ‘It’s not really about food…’: food growing, food justice and sustainability., RGS-IBG Annual International Conference 2018. Session: Edible Urban Landscapes: Critical Perspectives, Cardiff University, 28-31 August 2018.
  • Dinnie, L.; Msika, J. (2016) Reflections on dissemination, communication and engagement., Sustainability Transitions Towards Low-Carbon Societies: Final Conference of the ARTS, TESS and Pathways Projects, Rotterdam, Netherlands, 13-14 October 2016.
  • Dinnie, L.; Holstead, K. (2016) The trials and tribulations of public funding. Shaping the aspirations and innovations of community-based initiatives for sustainability., Sustainability Transitions Towards Low-Carbon Societies: Final conference of the ARTS, TESS and Pathways Projects, Rotterdam, Netherlands, 13-14 October 2016.
  • Dinnie, E.; Msika, J.; Pinker, A.; Holstead, K.L.; Fischer, A. (2015) Transition and tradition: how are low-carbon, community-based initiatives contributing to continuity and change in rural communities., XXVI European Society for Rural Sociology Congress, ‘Places of possibility? Rural Societies in a Neoliberal World’, Aberdeen, 18-21 August 2015.
  • Dinnie, E. (2015) Revolution or evolution? Grassroots initiatives, social change and conflict., Invited paper at 2nd Pressure-Cooker Workshop “Theories of Change in Sustainability Transitions, University of A Coruña, Spain, 10-11 September 2015.
  • Dinnie, E. (2015) Governing sustainability transitions: inclusion, representation and participation in community-based Initiatives., British Sociological Association Annual Conference, Glasgow, 15-17 April 2015.
  • Lackova, P.; Dinnie, E.; Galan-Diaz, C. (2014) Sustainable communities: social justice and community-based transitions towards sustainability., British Sociological Association Annual Conference 2014, ‘Changing Society’, Leeds, UK, 23-25 April 2014.
  • Dinnie, E.; Lackova, P.; Galan-Diaz, C. (2014) Governing through community: Local actors, rural governance and the discourse of community empowerment., British Sociological Association Annual Conference 2014, “Changing Society”, Leeds, UK, 23-25 April 2014.
  • Dinnie, E. (2013) Exploring ideas about community empowerment in Orkney, Scotland, UK: Cooperation between local government and researchers., InContext Final Conference and Informed Cities Forum 2013 How to create space for change? Rediscovering the power of community, Berlin, 6-7 June 2013.
  • Dinnie, E. (2013) Understanding rural community resilience through adaptation to climate change. Another day, another meeting: Exploring community vibrancy through residents’ everyday views and experiences., XXV ESRS Congress – Rural Resilience and Vulnerability: The rural as the locus of solidarity and conflict in times of crisis, Florence, Italy, 29 July – 1 August 2013.
  • Dinnie, E. (2013) Funeral for a Friend: Exploring potential performance ideas for arts-science collaboration on the theme of climate change., Do Not Resuscitate 3: An Art/Science Collaboration on the theme of communicating climate change, The Stove, Dumfries, 18 April 2013.
  • Dinnie, E. (2013) What has nature ever done for us? Cultural ecosystem services and human well-being., Do Not Resuscitate 2: An Art/Science Collaboration on the theme of communicating climate change, Catstrand, New Galloway, 16 January 2013.
  • Dinnie, E.; Galan-Diaz, C. (2013) Exploring meanings of community empowerment and vibrancy through everyday experiences., Researching Scotland’s Ruralities: Social Science Perspectives on Current Issues in Rural Scotland – a conference organised by the Scottish Consortium for Rural Research, Concert Hall, Perth, 20 March 2013.
  • Dinnie, E. (2013) Do you see what I see? Using a visual ethnographic approach to explore the social wellbeing benefits of greenspace., Greenhealth Conference, Edinburgh, 11 March 2013.
  • McKee, A.J.; Sandstrom, C.; Dinnie, E.; Fischer, A.; Tibebe, Y.; Lowassa, A.; Msuha, M.; Kerezi, V., Majic Skrbinsek, A.; Marinko, U. (2012) Changing the rules of ‘the game’: reflections on the problems and prospects of the scenario workshop method in wildlife and natural resource governance., International Conference on Hunting for Sustainability: Ecology, Economics and Society, Ciudad Real, Spain, 27-29 March 2012.
  • Dinnie, E.; Brown, K.M.; Morris, S. (2012) Community, cooperation and conflict: negotiating the social wellbeing benefits of urban greenspace experience., American Association of Geographers 2012 Annual Meeting, Session title: Geographies of Wellbeing 2: The benefits of nature, greenspace and resources, New York, USA, 24-28 February 2012.
  • Dinnie, E.; Morris, S. (2012) How do greenspaces contribute to human health and wellbeing? Findings from the Environment and Human Health project., Public Open Day using the Virtual Landscape Theatre, Finmill Community Learning Centre, Dundee, 18 September 2012.
  • Dinnie, E.; Fischer, A.; Huband, S. (2012) Property rights and public policy changes: understanding discursive claims to knowledge among Scottish land managers., Presentation at International Conference – Hunting for Sustainability: Ecology, Economics and Society, Ciudad Real, Spain, 26-28 March 2012.
  • Blackstock, K.L.; Matthews, K.B.; Buchan, K.; Miller, D.; Dinnie, E.; Rivington, M. (2011) Supporting sustainable development: Using the SMILE toolkit with stakeholders in Scotland., Paper presented to Future Trends for Sustainable Development Conference, Tampere, Finland, 9-10 June 2011.
  • Dinnie, E.; Blackstock, K.L. (2010) Landscapes of challenge and change: contested notions of the Cairngorms National Park., Royal Geographical Society Annual Conference, London, 1-3 September 2010.
  • Dinnie, E.; Galan-Diaz, C.; Brown, K.M.; Kriel, A. (2010) Ethical considerations in using visual methods: intersections between power relations, social contexts and visual cultures., Vital Signs 2 Conference, Engaging Research Imaginations, University of Manchester, Manchester, 7-9 September 2010.

Conference posters / abstracts

  • Polhill, J.G.; Craig, T.; Fischer, A.; Dinnie, L.; Pinker, A.; Msika, J. (2016) Sustainable lifestyle initiatives in Europe and Scotland: The GLAMURS and TESS European Projects., The James Hutton Institute Open Day, Aberdeen, 10 September 2016. (Poster)
  • Holstead, K.L.; Msike, J.; Dinnie, L.; Pinker, A. (2015) Huntly and District Development Trust., Can the Transition to a Sustainable Future be Locally Led? Conference, The Edinburgh Centre for Carbon and Innovation, Edinburgh, 27 May 2015. Poster.
  • Miller, D.R.; Morris, S.; Morrice, J.; Mitchell, R.; Ward Thomson, C.; Roe, J.; Dinnie, E. (2014) GREENHEALTH: the contribution of green and open space to human health and wellbeing., Poster at SRUC/SEPA Biennial Conference: Delivering Multiple Benefits from our Land: Sustainable Development in Practice, University of Edinburgh, 15-16 April 2014.
  • Miller, D.R.; Morris, S.; Morrice, J.; Mitchell, R.; Ward Thomson, C.; Roe, J.; Dinnie, E. (2014) GREENHEALTH: the contribution of green and open space to human health and wellbeing., Poster at Ecosystem Services Community (ESCOM) Conference, Launch Meeting, University of Edinburgh, 30 April – 1 May 2014.
  • Brown, K.; Banks, E.; Dinnie, E. (2013) Understanding and reducing conflicts. Sharing space across species difference., Theme 8 Policy Stakeholder Workshop, Birnam Institute, 20 November 2013.
  • McKee, A.; Fischer, A.; Dinnie, L. (2013) Community activity nodes Investigating the role of community activity nodes in enhancing community vibrancy and resilience, RESAS Theme 8 Knowledge Exchange Meeting, Birnam, Dunkeld, 20 November 2013. (Poster)
  • Dinnie, E. (2013) Exploring ideas about community empowerment in Orkney, Scotland, UK: cooperation between local government and researchers., Third Informed Cities Forum 2013 and InContext Final Conference. How to create space for change? Rediscovering the power of community, TAK Theater Aufbau Kreuzberg, Berlin, Germany, 6-7 June 2013.
  • Slee, B.; Dinnie, E. (2013) Leapfrogging local markets with healthy quality foods: a Scottish problem?, FOODLINKS Project Meeting, Edinburgh, 24 April 2013.
  • Dinnie, E.; Lackova, P. (2013) OrkCEmP: Exploring ideas about community empowerment in Orkney., RESAS Theme 8 Vibrant Rural Communities Workshop, Birnam Arts Centre, Dunkeld, 20 November 2013.
  • Dinnie, E.; Fischer, A.; Huband, S. (2011) Property rights and new public policy agendas: Contested claims to understanding the Scottish countryside., ACES Conference 2011 Conservation Conflicts: Strategies for coping with a changing world, Arts Centre, Aberdeen, 22-24 August 2011.