Dominic is a social researcher on risk in the Social, Economic and Geographical Sciences Group (SEGS). He currently applies social theories of risk to diverse areas of socio-technical risk and environmental hazards which are core concerns to the James Hutton Institute. On-going work includes investigating food within an interdisciplinary project aiming to improve dietary outcomes in Scotland both in relation to well-being and sustainability. His contribution involves a knowledge of the sociology of food and the development of ideas around 'a food risk society'.
Dominic has previously worked extensively with issues relating to agricultural production. These include the surveillance of livestock through electronic tagging (as part of The Scottish Government's Centre of Expertise, EPIC) and agricultural knowledge and information systems (AKIS) within an FP7 project www.proakis.eu. Work also includes developing Scotland's strategic resource management by leading a project looking at water reuse for Scotland's Centre of Expertise on Waters (CREW) and developing visual research methods around participatory mapping using touch table technology. All of these research activities are related by an overarching interest in developing of social theories of risk to understand socio-technical phenomena.
Dominic joined the institute in 2012 after gaining a PhD from Lancaster University Management School where he studied ‘the social amplification of risk’ in the context of zoonotic disease. Previously he gained a Masters degree in Organisation Work and Technology also from Lancaster University. His first degree was in Philosophy from Exeter University.
Prior to his academic career Dominic had a successful and varied career in information technology. He worked in different sectors including the civil service, financial services and the technology sector. As an information systems specialist he became involved in risk management, risk audit and business continuity gaining professional certification through the Information Systems Audit and Control Association. This technology background is reflected in an ongoing interest in the role of modern technology in the shaping of risk in society.
Dominic has a strong interest in social theory built on a first degree in philosophy and a continuing interest in developing theoretical insights.
Dominic’s interests are in the social aspects of risk with a particular, current emphasis on food within Theme 3 of the current RESAS program. The program takes an interdisciplinary approach teaming psychologists, sociologists, nutritionists, modellers and statisticians to better understand food cultures in which poor dietary outcomes combined with concerns over sustainability constitute an entrenched problem particularly within Scotland. Methods include concept mapping and agent-based modelling. Stakeholders are also central to the investigation and a range of qualitative methods are being deployed including interviews and focus groups.
Dominic has worked on public and institutional perceptions of zoonotic risk through the lens of the social amplification of risk framework (SARF) for a PhD. At Masters level he investigated social understandings of disaster and the relationship between disaster recovery plans as artefacts and the actual practices evident in the wake of a disaster. He investigated the Oklahoma City bombing (1995) as a site where disaster recovery was socially constructed. His post doctoral research includes working on agricultural production, strategic resource management, knowledge systems and visual research methods.
Hough, R.L.; Tompkins, D.; Williams, J.; Duckett, D.; Kyle, C. (2018) Community concerns regarding impacts on human health and the environment arising from sewage sludge., Report of a Community Engagement Workshop, Avonbridge Community Hall, Falkirk, 31 May 2018.
Kyle, C.; Duckett, D.; Barlagne, C. (2018) What will the Scottish potato sector look like in 2040 and will varietal diversity be important., Report of a Workshop, Doubletree Hilton, Dundee, 13 December 2018, 12pp.
Byg, A.; Duckett, D.; Conniff, A. (2018) Ethical dimensions of digital visual research methods., Project Report, 15pp.
Kyle, C.; Duckett, D.; Barlagne, C. (2018) Protecting genetic diversity of Scotland's potatoes., Report on the Workshop held at the James Hutton Institute, Dundee, 21 January 2018, 17pp.
Troldborg, M.; Duckett, D.; Allan, R.; Hastings, E.; Hough, R.L. (2017) A risk-based approach for developing standards for irrigation with reclaimed water., Water Research, 126, 372-384.
Duckett, D.; McKee, A.J.; Sutherland, L-A.; Kyle, C.; Boden, L.A.; Auty, H.; Bessel, P.R.; McKendrick, I.J. (2017) Scenario planning as communicative action: lessons from participatory exercises conducted for the Scottish livestock industry., Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 114, 138-151.
Duckett, D.; Barlagne, C.; Kyle, C. (2017) Report of the workshop exploring the genetic diversity of potatoes for enhanced resilience of the potato sector., The James Hutton Institute, Report to Stakeholder Group, 5pp.
Troldborg, M.; Duckett, D.; Hough, R.; Kyle, C. (2017) Developing a foundation for reclaimed water use in Scotland., CREW Report, CRW2013_16.
Duckett, D.; Feliciano, D.; Martin-Ortega, J.; Munoz-Rojas, J. (2016) Tackling wicked environmental problems: The discourse and its influence on practice in Scotland., Landscape and Urban Planning, 154, 44-56.
Boden, L.A.; Auty, H.; Bessell, P.; Duckett, D.; Liu, J.; Kyle, C.; McKee, A.; Sutherland, L.A.; Reynolds, J.; Bronsvoort, B.M.D.; McKendrick, I.J. (2015) Scenario planning: The future of the cattle and sheep industries in Scotland and their resiliency to disease., Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 121, 353-364.
Duckett, D.; Wynne, B.; Christley, R.M.; Heathwaite, A.L.; Mort, M.; Austin, Z.; Wastling, J.M.; Latham, S.M.; Alcock, R.; Haygarth, P. (2015) Can policy be risk-based? The cultural theory of risk and the case of livestock disease containment., Sociologia Ruralis, 55, 379-399.
Duckett, D. (2014) Barriers to farmer adoption of cattle EID., The Journal of the Aberdeen Agricultural Graduates Association.
Duckett, D.G.; Auty, H.; Boden, L.; Bessell, P. (2014) What will the Scottish sheep industry look like in 2040 and how resilient will it be to livestock disease?, Report to Attendees of Scenario Planning Workshops, 21 April 2014 (Summary of Workshop No. 1 held on 5 February 2014, Patterson Land, Edinburgh).
Duckett, D.G.; Auty, H.; Boden, L.; Bessell, P. (2014) What will the Scottish sheep industry look like in 2040 and how resilient will it be to livestock disease? summary of workshop 2., Report to Attendees of Scenario Planning Workshops, 2 April 2014 (Summary of Workshop No. 2 held on 5 February 2014, Patterson Land, Edinburgh).
Duckett, D.; Busby, J. (2013) Risk amplification as social attribution., Risk Management, 15, 132-153.
Duckett, D.G.; Boden, L.; Auty, H.; Bessell, P. (2013) EPIC scenario planning workshop summary report., Workshop Summary Report, EPIC, Centre of Expertise of Animal Disease Outbreaks, 17 September 2013.
Duckett, D.G. (2013) Interim report on the role of digital technology in influencing farm-level disease management practices., Report for EPIC, December 2013.
Duckett, D.G. (2013) Is there a Vet Google? The impact of internet-hosted diagnostic information on farmer response to livestock disease and on the veterinarian farmer relationship., Report for EPIC, January 2013.