Wednesday 29th March 2017, 2:00pm
Businesses, charities, communities and policy-makers will benefit from easier access to environmental and agricultural research carried out in Scotland, thanks to a collective launched today.
The collective – called SEFARI – will work across six of Scotland’s research institutes to improve the availability of information on, and connections between, areas such as the environment, land, food, agriculture and rural communities.
The collective consists of Moredun Research Institute, Scotland’s Rural College, the James Hutton Institute, the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh, Biomathematics & Statistics Scotland and the Rowett Institute.
SEFARI will make the links between researchers and information users through innovative events, conferences and key conversations to promote and utilise research findings.
Examples of relevant work include the latest information on how improving animal health can result in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from livestock; the role peatland plays in releasing stored carbon into the atmosphere; and understanding the trade-offs and challenges in achieving both a healthy diet, and less greenhouse gas emissions.
“SEFARI is developing ways to align the right research and expertise with those who need it – whether policy, business or individuals – this a powerful change that can offer insight and value to a range of people."
“I am proud that Scotland has our own world-leading research capacity and I look forward to seeing increasing impact from Scottish Government investment in research, delivering clear results on complex issues such as climate change and food security, and economic returns for the country."
“There is immense strength in this collective of research expertise, and with SEFARI we have made moves to ensure this is further enhanced. Our belief is that this collective can deliver Leading Ideas for Better Lives which means that our research can make a material positive difference to the lives of people in Scotland and beyond."
Professor Peter Morgan, Executive Chairman of SEFARI“There is great strength in publicly funded research in
Scotland, but SEFARI has a critical role in ensuring that this research
is better used where and when it can have the greatest impact. This
might be with policy makers, businesses or relating to individual
choices and we are committed to working in partnership, at home and
elsewhere, to deliver these aims."
Roslin Innovation Centre
The University of Edinburgh
Easter Bush Campus
Midlothian EH25 9RG
