Research output per year
Research output per year
Personal profile
Biography
Peter McKeown is a Lecturer in Plant and AgriBiosciences at the University of Galway and is the coordinator of the award-winning MastersProgram on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (MScCCAFS; www.universityofgalway.ie/ccafs).His background is in plant science, especially in genetics and epigenetics of plant reproduction and seed development, with interests in agricultural biodiversity, plant genetic resources and climate impacts on crops. He read Natural Sciences at the University of Cambridge before studying for an MSc in Plant Breeding and Biotechnology from the John Innes Centre, UK, and PhD in plant cell biology; he was awarded a Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education from the University of Galway Centre of Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) in 2016. He also coordinates 1st year plant science teaching and is a member of the School of Biological and Chemical Sciences Athena Swan Working Group; he was elected to Academic Council in 2018. Peter was the local coordinator of an Erasmus+ Program on pedagogy, Decoding the Disciplines, and served as Irish representative for the COST Action Harnessing Plant Reproduction for Agricultural Improvement and Secretary to NGO Genetic Heritage Ireland. He is acting lead PI in the EU-funded "Legumes 4 Development" and "EcoFood Systems" research programs, and the Research Ireland Co-Centre for Climate Plus Biodiversity and Water. Peter has been an author on 30 peer-reviewed papers and has co-edited three books, including the Routledge Handbook of Agricultural Biodiversity. His full profile can be found at http://tinyurl.com2875je3c.
Research Interests
My research interests are focussed on genetics and epigenetics of plant reproduction and evolution, especially seed and grain development; environmental and climate impacts on model plants and crops; and in wider aspects of crop evolution including agricultural biodiversity and conservation of genetic resources.
Education/Academic qualification
M.Sc., M.A., Ph.D.
Keywords
- Q Science (General)
- Sustainability
- Agriculture
- Epigenetics
- Soil science
- QK Botany
- Plant reproduction
- Plant genetics
- Seed development
- Arabidopsis
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 1 No Poverty -
SDG 2 Zero Hunger -
SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 4 Quality Education -
SDG 5 Gender Equality -
SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation -
SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy -
SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth -
SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure -
SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities -
SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities -
SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production -
SDG 13 Climate Action -
SDG 14 Life Below Water -
SDG 15 Life on Land -
SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions -
SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals
Fingerprint
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Recent external collaboration on country/territory level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots or
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Analytical hierarchy process-based mapping of social vulnerability to climate change in mountainous communes across Northwestern Vietnam
Le Bui, V., Vu, B. T., Pham, K. D., Nong, D. H., Van Pham, D., Le, N. M. T., Pham, L. T., Brychkova, G., McKeown, P. C., Murray, C., S.Obaitor, O., Garschagen, M. & Spillane, C., Apr 2026, In: GeoJournal. 91, 2, 28.Research output: Contribution to a Journal (Peer & Non Peer) › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Comparative performance of two-wheel tractor-based direct seeding and ox-drawn plough crop establishment of maize and common bean in smallholder farming systems
Mushangure, R. O., Baudron, F., Ndlovu, N., Johnston, A., Brychkova, G., Murray, U., McKeown, P. C., Chikoye, D. & Spillane, C., May 2026, In: JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD RESEARCH.Research output: Contribution to a Journal (Peer & Non Peer) › Article › peer-review
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Gender and the adoption of biofortified crop varieties in low and middle-income countries: a review
Spain, S., Ndlovu, N., McKeown, P. C., Murray, U. & Spillane, C., 2026, In: Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems. 9, 1634171.Research output: Contribution to a Journal (Peer & Non Peer) › Review article › peer-review
Open Access -
Digital technologies to accelerate the impact of climate smart agriculture by next-generation farmers in Africa
Mollel, M., Quiroz, L. F., Varley, C., Firestine, A., McLoughlin, M. E., Kafunah, J., Kharkar, S., O'Farrell, J., Ndlovu, N., Johnston, A., McKeown, P. C., Brychkova, G., Murray, U., Leiva, S. & Spillane, C., 2025, In: Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems. 9, 1462328.Research output: Contribution to a Journal (Peer & Non Peer) › Review article › peer-review
Open Access16 Citations (Scopus) -
Entrepreneurship pathways for scaling legume-based agroecological intensification in Eastern and Southern Africa. A review
Fundira, T., Ndlovu, N., Kaonga, T., Kinkese, T., Murray, U., Johnston, A., McKeown, P. C., Allen, B. & Spillane, C., Oct 2025, In: Journal of Agriculture and Food Research.Research output: Contribution to a Journal (Peer & Non Peer) › Article › peer-review
Activities
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Timalizge Munthali
Mc Keown, P. (Co-Supervisor)
2024 → …Activity: Other › Current Postgraduates (Research) Supervised
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Theresa Kinkese
Mc Keown, P. (Co-Supervisor)
2024 → …Activity: Other › Current Postgraduates (Research) Supervised
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Ky Hoang
Mc Keown, P. (Co-Supervisor)
2024 → …Activity: Other › Current Postgraduates (Research) Supervised
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Carlos Andr�s Rodr�guez Plazas
Mc Keown, P. (Co-Supervisor)
2024 → …Activity: Other › Current Postgraduates (Research) Supervised
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Ryan Institute Postgraduate Working Group (Internal) (External organisation)
Mc Keown, P. (Member)
4 Jan 2021 → …Activity: Membership › Membership of committee