Dr Clare Lukehurst has recently been recognised by an entry in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Although the text is behind a paywall, it’s very gratifying to see her remarkable life and contributions acknowledged in this way.
Dr Lukehurst acted for many years as the UK representative for IEA Bioenergy’s Task 37: Energy from Biogas, not only taking part in the technical programme and events, but also consistently raising funds from UK industry and other bodies to contribute to the work. She was co-author on several Task 37 Technical reports, on themes such as utilisation and quality management of digestate from biogas plants as a fertiliser. The most recent of these, on Exploring the viability of small-scale anaerobic digesters in livestock farming was written jointly with Angela Bywater, EBNet’s former Network co-Manager.
Among her many other activities, Clare gave valuable support to EBNet and its predecessor NIBB the Anaerobic Digestion Network, including participation in an advisory group on the development of the Anaerobic Digestion Assessment Tool (ADAT).
Clare’s commitment to the field of anaerobic digestion has continued even after her death in 2022, through a legacy to support UK involvement in biogas and related areas. A group is currently working to set up a charitable trust in her name, that will aim to promote and disseminate information on production and use of biogas and biochemically-derived renewable energy and the associated recycling of carbon and plant nutrients, in conjunction with Task 37 and others working in this area. An application is currently with the Charity Commissioners: watch out for more news on this characteristic act of scientific commitment and humanitarian generosity.
