Rob J.F. Burton
Papers
1
Total Citations
42
H-Index
1
About
Rob J.F. Burton is a leading social scientist in agricultural and environmental studies, whose work bridges rural sociology, cultural geography, and climate change mitigation. His research centers on understanding farmer decision-making, particularly the socio-cultural barriers to adopting sustainable practices. Burton’s major contribution lies in developing the concept of “cultural lock-in,” which explains how entrenched farming traditions and social norms can impede the uptake of pro-environmental technologies, even when economic incentives exist. His most cited paper, “Cultural Lock‐in and Mitigating Greenhouse Gas Emissions: The Case of Dairy/Beef Farmers in Norway” (2019, 42 citations), exemplifies this by revealing how cultural identity and community pressures among Norwegian farmers hinder the adoption of climate-smart methods. This work has been pivotal for policymakers and researchers seeking to design more effective, context-sensitive interventions. Beyond this, Burton has extensively explored farmer identity, agricultural restructuring, and the role of visual culture in rural landscapes. His interdisciplinary approach has earned him recognition as a key voice in the human dimensions of environmental change, making his research essential reading for students and scholars interested in the intersection of culture, agriculture, and sustainability.
Research Focus
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Top Papers
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