Tamara Lebrecht

Research Interests

My research interest concerns the question how we can sustainably transform agriculture in order to bring about more biodiversity, improved soil health, healthier food and more social justice.

My past research has been focused on seed diversity, patent laws and the impacts of biotechnology and new technological developments on the environment, human health and farming systems. I am concerned about how little crop species are commercially cultivated today and the declining genetic diversity within these species. I am interested in the huge potential that lies within neglected and underutilised crop species for local organic cultivation in times of climate change.
I now dedicate my PhD research to the drought resistant crop species, grass pea (Lathyrus sativus), exploring agronomic, breeding, nutritional, processing and socio-economic issues. To that aim, I run a first variety screening of grass pea in Switzerland and study different cultivation practices with a focus on intercropping. I will further conduct a nutritional evaluation of different grass pea varieties and a characterisation of their industrial processability. Lastly, I will explore what socio-economic issues determine the success of this crop.
Methodically I am interested in transdisciplinary research, participatory research and action research.
 

Work Experience

Since 2015 Executive Secretary, Critical Scientists Switzerland
2017-2021 Senior Researcher, GeneWatch UK
2014-2017 AgBiotech Researcher, GeneWatch UK
2014 Assistant Employee “Agriculture, Biodiversity and Patents”, Berne Declaration
2013-2014 Intern, Berne Declaration
2011-2012 Scientific Assistant, ETH Zurich
2010 Intern, Nature & Community Project, Chiquita Brands International, Refugio De Vida Silvestre Privado Nogal, Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui, Costa Rica
 

Education

Since 2021: PhD Environmental System Science, ETH Zurich
2010 - 2012: MSc Environmental Sciences, Ecology and Evolution, ETH Zurich
2006 - 2011: BSc Environmental Sciences, Forest- and Landscape Management, ETH Zurich
 

Selected Publications

Hilbeck, A., Lebrecht, T., Vogel, R., Heinemann, J. A., & Binimelis, R. (2013). Farmer’s choice of seeds in four EU countries under different levels of GM crop adoption. Environmental Sciences Europe, 25, 12. https://doi.org/10.1186/2190-4715-25-12