Project Manager
Alistair comes to Transition from the Dundee based charity Solar Cities Scotland where he managed a team of staff delivering behaviour change projects and promoting sustainable energy. Prior to this he was manager of a Development Trust based in Dundee that undertook Social, Physical and Environmental projects in an effort to build a sustainable urban community as part of an £85 million award winning regeneration scheme. After studying a Marine Biology degree at Queen Mary’s he spent 3 years at sea working for an Environmental charity before settling in London, where he undertook stints at Greenpeace, City Farm and regeneration charity Groundwork.
In his spare time he enjoys sailing, working in his allotment and running a local car club, and Wheelshare.
Edible Campus
Andrea is a keen lover of growing food and herbs and has been working with Transition since 2014. She completed her Bachelor of Arts in Canada with a degree in Politics and Peace and Conflict Studies. Upon moving to Scotland she continued a college education at Elmwood in the field of Horticulture followed by a Diploma in Herbology at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. While studying, Andrea began working with local nurseries to develop garden spaces and an Outdoor Learning Programme for youngsters to learn about food growing, wildlife and nature. She also became a Tutor at the St Andrews Botanic Garden where she continues to share her enthusiasm for nature.
In her spare time she enjoys traveling, walking, taking pictures and painting.
Helena has been growing plants in one form or another for decades. Completing a Botany Degree and a PhD at Glasgow University, before working as a Post Doctoral Researcher using Arabidopsis as a model plant. Since moving back to the East coast, Helena has been volunteering and tutoring at the St Andrews Botanic Gardens. At Transition, she is now working with Andrea to support the local community growers in the Edible Campus Gardens.
In her spare time she runs a Food Co-op, tends her own fruit and veg, makes jam, chutney and other preserves, and also keeps insectivorous plants.
Zero Waste & Skillshare
Tansy has an MSc in Environmental Science from Brunel University and has worked for a number of environmental charities in the UK and Ireland, Including the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers and Greening Temple Bar. As the mother of two young boys she is passionate about environmental education and is one of the Directors of The Secret Garden Outdoor Nursery, she also runs Fife Nature Kids which promotes Art, Science and Environmental projects throughout Fife. Tansy is a Sea Champion with the Marine Conservation Society and organises regular beach cleans. She also works as a seaweed harvester for Mara seaweed and sells seaweed at the St Andrews Farmers Markets. Tansy is passionate about us moving towards a low carbon future and sees the Skillshare Groupas a wonderful way to bring the community together to move towards that goal.
Campus Cycling Officer
Lara was raised in Australia before moving to Scotland for university. In June 2016, she graduated with a Biology degree; her dissertation investigating the impact of marine plastic on shore crabs. She has been involved in the environmental scene in St Andrews since September 2012; being a keen Transition volunteer and the Societies Liaison Officer for the University Students’ Union Environment Subcommittee. She led the St Andrews contingent to Scotland’s Climate March in Edinburgh, appearing on national media sources including BBC News, ahead of the COP21 summit in Paris. She is a STEM Ambassador, a Scout leader and a 2050 Climate Group Young Leader.
In her spare time, Lara enjoys vegetarian cooking, assisting with a local Scout group, going to music festivals, photography and exploring the great outdoors!
Research Facilitator
Ailsa joins us from Newcastle University, where she worked as a researcher in the School of Biology since completing her PhD in 2009. Before Newcastle, she studied at the Universities of Glasgow and Aberdeen. Her background is in applied ecology and conservation, and she has experience working on many different types of project, from determining the impact of human disturbance on coastal birds, though to investigating whether playing bird song and putting plants in offices can benefit worker well-being. She also worked for a time as an ecological consultant and is a licensed bat worker. She is assistant editor of two academic journals (Journal of Applied Ecology and Biodiversity & Conservation).
In her spare time, Ailsa enjoys pottering about in the garden with her husband and cat, wandering around the countryside with a pair of binoculars, visiting art galleries and exhibitions, and finding nice places to have coffee and cake.