Professor Alison Hester

About the Film

Professor Alison Hester, FRSB, Head of the Climate-Positive Farming Initiative at the James Hutton Institute, has spent over 35 years in ecology, driven by the belief that even a “little cog” can make a big impact. At the forefront of climate-positive farming, Alison is reimagining land management to address the climate crisis while enhancing biodiversity and supporting the livelihoods of land managers.

Through real-world research at James Hutton’s unique research farm, which supports sheep, cattle and red deer, her team explores vital knowledge gaps — from sustainable grazing to peatland restoration — integrating livestock with local biodiversity. Key to this transformation is integrating new technology, which enables innovative solutions.

In the face of a biodiversity crisis, Alison’s work highlights that land managers sit at a crucial juncture in the fight against climate change. With experts from diverse disciplines uniting to tackle these complex issues, the Initiative embodies her belief that only together can we address the environmental challenges ahead.