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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 182
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 improvements in the health of Scottish livestock through increased uptake of biosecurity practices: towards a farmer-centric approach based on a Socio-Epidemiological Model

We use a holistic framework that combines data from epidemiology, applied agricultural economics, and behavioural science in a multi-disciplinary approach to biosecurity in three case studies. This enables a better understanding of: farmers, their context, and the factors that influence their behaviour and choices; the impact of different biosecurity choices on disease burdens; the potential for influencing decisions through communicating disease predictions; barriers to uptake of biosecurity practices, which of these can be influenced, and what might be effective in incentivising uptake...

  • Animal Disease
  • 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
Agriculture climate and carbon

This project provides new approaches for reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from agriculture and land use in Scotland, establishes a database of management activities contributing to the mitigation of GHG emissions, investigate new approaches to GHG mitigation, and assess the potential for land management activities to contribute to carbon sequestration. Engagement with stakeholders will explore barriers to uptake of mitigation measures.

  • Agricultural Greenhouse Gases
  • 2022-2027
Air quality: domestic biomass burning and fine particulate emissions

Burning biomass (for example, logs) for domestic heating can release fine particles, causing respiratory and cardiovascular disease. This project addresses three questions: how much domestic biomass burning takes place in Scotland, how much pollution does this cause, and does it impair human health? These questions are addressed using novel measurement methods as well as modelling.

  • Air Quality
  • 2022-2027
Air quality: livestock farming and ammonia

Ammonia from livestock farming harms air quality but receives less attention than greenhouse gases (GHG).  We describe mitigation measures that can be taken now, providing tools to support adoption. We check trade-offs between measures targeting ammonia and those targeting GHG, filling knowledge gaps. Replacing models by measurements should improve monitoring, so we test emerging technologies for measuring farm ammonia emissions.

  • Air Quality
  • 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
  • 2022-2027
Assessing the impact of dietary health interventions for driving long-term positive changes in diet and nutrition in Scotland

This project evaluates the impact of dietary health interventions for improving Scotland's diet and nutrition, and investigates whether and how their impact varies over time and across demographic groups. It also investigates potential unintended consequences of implementing the dietary interventions (for example, increased health inequalities).

  • Food & Drink Improvements
  • 2022-2027

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