James Hitchmough

James completed a BSC (Hons.) in Environmental Horticulture in the School of Biological Sciences, University of Bath in 1979, and a PhD in Database Design for Landscape Plant Selection in 1984. He worked as a Lecturer/Senior Lecture at Burnley College, University of Melbourne, Australia from 1983-93. James commenced as Reader in the Department of Landscape, University of Sheffield in 1995, was appointed Professor in Horticultural Ecology in 2004, and Head of Department from 2014-18.  He retired in September 2022.

In parallel with his academic career, James worked as a consultant on landscape projects around the world, often using these to translate his research into practice and policy.  He was one of the two lead planting designers at the London Olympic Park (2007-14), following the publication of “The Dynamic Landscape” (2004) a seminal text on the application of nature-like planting to the urban realm. 

After 2010 he focused on projects in China, often in collaboration with Chinese Government agencies to advance the use of local native species in large scale nature-like design projects, involving more than 50 visits/expeditions.

Post his retirement James has been engaged in design and management projects in the UK and internationally.   He continues to speak and write on landscape issues; the new version of the “Dynamic Landscape” will be published in summer 2025.