Solis recently joined our food, farms and climate team to work at integrating productivity, sustainability, resilience and adaptation to a changing climate. He brings two contrasting skillsets, one embedded in post-growth and resource depletion theory and application, the other a much more applied background of working on farms, in agricultural industry supply chains, and with farmers and community groups.
The development of great leadership in the rural sector and the support and upskilling of young people is an important goal for Solis. He is an active supporter of the New Zealand Rural Leadership Trust, a Nuffield Scholar, member of the International Society for Biophysical Economics and the New Zealand Institute of Primary Industry Management.
Solis’s experience includes twelve years creating and running a national animal health and productivity programme for the New Zealand Deer Industry, several years at the Otago Energy Research Centre at the University of Otago, and a decade working on a variety of farms around the country. His academic background includes a Bachelor of Agricultural Science, Masters in Applied Science and PhD in Veterinary Epidemiology.