Hi I'm
Dr Natasha Coleman

Position: Research Assistant
Location: Edinburgh Campus
Expertise:
- Climate, Environment and Wildlife
- Forestry and Estate Management
- Natural Economy
- Policy

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I am a Postdoctoral Research Assistant in the Rural Policy Centre at SRUC, working across projects on rural land use, livelihoods, and the relationship between people and nature. I am an interdisciplinary Environmental Social Scientist with a background in Human Geography, and I bring a creative and reflective approach to my work.

My research focuses on how rural communities and land managers respond to environmental, social, and policy changes. I have worked on topics including climate resilience in woodlands, biosecurity behaviours, and the complexities of wildlife and species management. I primarily use qualitative methods such as interviews, workshops, and ethnographic fieldwork, but I also have experience in mixed-methods research, including large-scale surveys and secondary data analysis. I enjoy working collaboratively with different groups and stakeholders to help support inclusive and sustainable futures for rural places.

Before joining SRUC, I worked as a Social Scientist within the Society and Environment Research Group (SERG) at Forest Research, where I co-led several UK-wide interdisciplinary projects. I completed my PhD in Human Geography and Rural Studies in 2023, funded by the ESRC Welsh Doctoral Training Partnership. My doctoral research examined rural land use change through the lens of game management, combining case studies and a national stakeholder survey to explore how land, policy, and identity are evolving across England and Wales.

I grew up in an upland estate community, which continues to shape my perspective on working landscapes and rural livelihoods. Outside of work, I enjoy outdoor swimming, foraging and helping on a couple of small farms where I am based.

Natasha Coleman (research gate profile)
Rural Exchange HomeRural Exchange is a platform for engaging island and rural businesses and communities across Scotland

Areas of expertise and interests

Climate, Environment and Wildlife
Forestry and Estate Management
Natural Economy
Policy

I'm currently working on

I am currently contributing to several strands of SRUC’s strategic research programme:

E1-1 (NISRIE): Novel insights on Scotland’s rural and island economies.
E2-2: Reimagined policy futures: Shaping sustainable, inclusive and just rural and island communities in Scotland.
E3-3: Impacts of land-based financial support mechanisms on land values, landownership diversification and land use outcomes.

Alongside this, I am working on a Scottish Biodiversity Metric for Scotland, co-coordinating consultations including SRUC’s response to the Environment Strategy consultation and supporting knowledge exchange through writing and posting for the Rural Exchange website. I also continue to develop research relating to private estates and game management from my PhD, as well as ongoing work on deer management.

My professional highlights

1+3 ESRC-funded MSc and PhD in Human Geography & Rural Studies, Swansea University (Welsh DTP, 2016–2023).
Committee Member (2025–2028), Rural Geography Research Group (RGS-IBG), previously Postgraduate Representative; co-organised and developed RGS-IBG conference sessions, book club and blogs.
At Forest Research, designed and delivered DEFRA-funded collaborative workshops on novel methods for managing deer and grey squirrel, bringing together international researchers, practitioners, and policymakers.
Sabbatical as a deer ghillie in the Scottish Highlands, deepening understanding of practitioner perspectives and the importance of supporting for land-based workers.
Research focus areas: rural land use change, climate adaptation in forestry, biosecurity, wildlife and deer management, and rural livelihoods.
Teaching experience in landscape architecture and human geography, including leading fieldwork in rural areas.
Departmental Prize for Contribution to Student–Staff Relations, University of Sheffield
MSc dissertation ‘The rise and fall of the game estate’ shortlisted for the Rural Geography Research Group dissertation prize.

Find out more about our research services

Research services

Our work addresses health and productivity in animals, animal welfare and crops, promotes low carbon farming and increases farm output through efficiency and innovation.