Dr Karen Parry is a social science researcher and works with a research-for-development project aimed at improving the functionality of small-scale irrigation schemes in southern Africa and expanding their role as a hub for circular food systems and rural development. Karen’s role blends research and dissemination of findings, and with more than 10 years of engagement with the project she has contributed to papers on youth and their role in the local economy, household decision-making, equity and inclusion, institutions and sustaining change in irrigation, intergenerational land transfer and processes to improve adaptive capacity and transform small-scale irrigation schemes.