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Research

Research

A multi-million pound programme of strategic research delivered over five years providing science and evidence to support policymakers and its partners. Informed by strong partnerships and the needs of a broad range of stakeholders. Science at the heart of society contributing to the health, wealth and wellbeing of Scotland and beyond.

Plant and Animal Health

Protecting Plant and Animal Health to underpin our globally competitive economy and ambition to be a Good Food Nation

Sustainable Food Supply System

Leading the way to a Sustainable Food System and Supply contributing to the economy, livelihoods and the health of Scotland

Human Impacts on the Environment

Supporting the large-scale and coordinated transition to net zero and reduction of Human Impacts on the Environment

Natural Resources

Protecting, valuing and optimising the multiple benefits we recieve from our vital Natural Resources

Rural Futures

Committed to empowered, inclusive and resilient Rural Futures for Scotland’s rural and island communities

Ongoing research (2022-2027)

Displaying 1 - 10 of 41
A systems understanding of the flow of Antimicrobial Resistance from livestock production to the environment and humans: informing antimicrobial stewardship and optimal use
Highland cows grazing meadow in valley surrounded by mountains

Antimicrobials are often the last line of defence in protecting animal health and maintaining animal welfare standards. This project is providing a deeper understanding of the consequences of antimicrobial use in livestock production to extend the useful lifespan of individual antimicrobials and reduce risk to public health and the wider environment.

  • Animal Disease
  • 2022-2027
A systems understanding of the flow of Antimicrobial Resistance from livestock production to the environment and humans: informing risk analyses

The aim of this project is to characterise and quantify the flow of antimicrobial resistance genes within and from livestock holdings to the wider environment and human population, to inform antimicrobial stewardship and optimal use, and human risk via the food chain. Using a study site with pig, beef, poultry and sheep holdings, we are generating top-down descriptions of antimicrobial resistance patterns found in the environment and matching them with bottom-up hypothesis testing with experimental characterisation of the processes driving antimicrobial resistance gene flow through the...

  • Diet & Food Safety
  • 2022-2027
Achieving multi-purpose nature-based solutions

This project is assessing and enhancing water-related ecosystem services of Nature-Based Solutions in catchments. We explore how NBS can work across multiple sectors and scales to achieve transformative change.

  • Water
  • 2022-2027
Addressing knowledge gaps in the sources, epidemiology and genetic diversity of important foodborne pathogens

This project investigates the role of Scottish livestock and their environments in transmission of important foodborne pathogens, Toxoplasma gondii and Campylobacter spp., to humans.  

  • Diet & Food Safety
  • 2022-2027
Assessing the impact of changing migratory patterns and population size of greylag geese on livestock and public health

This project aims to investigate microbial risks carried by wildlife species whose distribution and abundance is affected by climate change.

  • Biodiversity
  • Plant & Animal Health
  • 2022-2027
Climate change impacts on natural capital

This project aims to develop a Risk and Opportunities Assessement Framewowork to asses Natural Capital assets and impacts of climate change, by integrating multiple (qantitative and qualitative) data, to identify risk asset types and consequences on capacity for Nature-based Solutions.

  • Natural Capital
  • 2022-2027
Development and implementation of tools, strategies, and stakeholder engagement to understand threats and improve disease management in practice

The project is mitigating threats posed to key crops by new, emerging and endemic pests and pathogens, to protect Scotland’s industries and delivering integrated and sustainable crop protection strategies for Scottish growers.

  • Plant Disease
  • 2022-2027
Emerging water futures

This project is integrating model-based assessment of future risks to water quality and quantity under a range of scenarios, with new empirical water quality data and socio-economic risk assessment for drinking water supplies.

  • Water
  • 2022-2027
Extending food production to Scotland’s underutilised lands
Edible plants growing in the wild

This project evaluates the potential of Scotland’s underutilised lands to contribute towards a sustainable food system and provide economic motivation to protect our natural capital. The focus is on wild species that can contribute towards sustainable food production, while meeting environment and biodiversity targets. Engagement with a wide range of stakeholders provides a RoadMap that will meet cross-sector needs.

  • Crop Improvement
  • 2022-2027
Flows of antimicrobial resistance and pathogens through environment to food chain

This research aims to quantify the flow of antimicrobial resistance genes and pathogens from the environment to the food chain and directly to humans in the farm environment under different farming practices. This will be integrated with social science work on antimicrobial use. Both quantitative and qualitative data will be used to develop a risk assessment model based on a Bayesian Belief Network.

  • Diet & Food Safety
  • 2022-2027

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