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A SEFARI Gateway Fellowship Report prepared by Dr Michaela Roberts.

This fellowship’s objective was to: “Undertake research and evidence collation and analysis to produce a report that develops a framework for assigning costs for delivering biodiversity outputs, using a sample of actions drawn from the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy Delivery Plan.”

Bryony is a Research Assistant for SRUC’s Rural Policy Centre. She works across a number of the Rural Policy Centre's projects, including Novel Insights on Scotland’s Rural and Islands Communities (NISRIE) and Impacts Of Land-based Financial Support Mechanisms On Land Values, Landownership Diversification And Land Use Outcomes as part of the Scottish Government's Strategic Research Programme 2022-27. She is also working on projects focusing on Community-Led Local Development in the islands, especially as it relates to agriculture and community resilience. Bryony completed an MSc in Ecological Economics at the University of Edinburgh/ SRUC; her dissertation explored community perceptions of the expansion of the seaweed farming industry in Scotland as it relates to community wellbeing and human-nature connections in coastal areas. Prior to joining SRUC, Bryony worked in the investment management industry and has an MA Hons in Economics from the University of Edinburgh.

Umar is a Senior Researcher specializing in Green Finance, based within the Social, Economic, and Geographical Sciences (SEGS) Department at The James Hutton Institute.

With over a decade of experience in academia, Umar's research has revolved around energy economics and sustainable finance. Umar's research at Hutton focuses on actionable strategies that contribute to a more sustainable financial and environmental future.

I joined the Social Economic and Geographical Sciences department (SEGS) in 2022 as a graduate research assistant. In 2023, I progressed to this role as a Research Assistant and am part of the Environmental Governance Group.

A SEFARI Gateway Specialist Advisory Group on Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been created to advise the Scottish Government on the use, future opportunities, risks and regulatory aspects of AI both as being used, or might be applied, to support Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture (ENRA) policy in Scotland.

This report outlines the initial workshop's findings which considered key questions, such as what is meant and understood by AI in an ENRA context, issues with data availability and completeness, and the specific ethical issues of data and AI in the fields of environmental science and agriculture.

We’re delighted to be jointly hosting an event titled ‘Safeguarding the Health of Scotland’s Farmed and Natural Ecosystem’ with EPIC (Centre of Expertise on Animal Disease Outbreaks) and the PHC (Plant Health Centre of Expertise).

Date: Friday, 21st June

Time: 10:30 to 11:30

Venue: Royal Highland Show

The event will showcase work within the Scottish Government’s Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture (ENRA) Research Portfolio. After an opening address, presentations will focus on animal and plant health risks, before concluding with a networking reception.

In addition, the Moredun Research Institute, Rowett Institute and Scotland's Rural College will again all have they familiar pavilion presences and a full series of engagements and activities.