Events
Past events
International conference on steps to sustainable livestock
Date: 12 - 15 January 2016
Venue: University of Bristol
The University of Bristol is proud to host a ‘go-to’ event for academics, researchers, NGOs, policy makers and livestock producers working toward sustainability of ruminant systems. This is an outstanding opportunity to share transformational knowledge and ideas in the beautiful city of Bristol.
Conference themes
- Consumption of human food by livestock.
- Animal species and genotypes suited to their environment.
- Animal health and welfare.
- Feeding animals optimally.
- Human nutrition – focus on healthy food.
- Husbandry systems appropriate for local environment, culture and economy.
- Knowledge transfer.
- Minimising environmental footprint.
Conference Dates:
- Tuesday 12 January 2016 – evening registration, introductory keynotes, panel discussion and reception.
- Wednesday 13 January – Friday 15 January 2016 – conference scientific presentations and poster sessions.
BES Symposium 2015:
The Ecology and Evolution of Emerging Plant Pests and Pathogens: Challenges to Global Food Security and Ecosystem Resilience
Date: 13 – 14 July, 2015
Venue: Penryn Campus, University of Exeter, Cornwall
This symposium will bring together experts in genetics, cell biology, ecology, evolution, plant pathology, modelling, microbiology, climate change, remote sensing, agriculture and forestry to synthesize recent research into emerging plant pests and pathogens (EPPPs) and share findings across disciplines.
The symposium will describe the threat that EPPPs pose, the mechanisms by which they evolve and spread, the ecological and environmental factors that influence emergence, and the management strategies that can be used for control.
There will be a Public Policy Debate on Monday 13 July, in Falmouth's Maritime Musuem. Tickets and travel to the venue are free to all those attending the Symposium.
Food Security and Land Research Alliance Seminar on sustainable intensification
Date: 19 May 2015
Venue: Washington Singer 219, Streatham Campus, University of Exeter
The sustainable intensification of agriculture has rapidly assumed a central place in both policy and research priorities in the UK, transforming the terms of debate over agri-environmental issues and the sustainability and security of the UK’s food supply.
This seminar will provide the opportunity to discuss the emerging natural and social science around sustainable intensification with some of those leading the thinking and research in this area, and with an eye on future research funding possibilities.
Food (In)Security Research Network: International and trans-disciplinary perspectives
Date: 16 October 2013
Venue: University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL
Food security research was under discussion at a one-day conference organised by the University of Warwick on 16 October 2013.
Seed Industry Workshop
Date: 19-20th September 2013
Venue: University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4RN
This BBSRC sponsored workshop is aimed at identifying synergies between academic seed biology research and the seed industry.
The meeting included:
- A series of short presentations from academics, the BBSRC and seed company representatives.
- Structured discussions on identifying potential synergies between the public and private sector.
- Informal networking opportunities.
- Facilities for private 1:1 discussions.
Aquatic Food Production Meeting
Date:18th July 2013 10.00 – 15.00
Venue: University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4RN
Developing joint research ideas in aquaculture and aquatic food production.
Global Food Security: Food, Famine and Fungi
Date: 16 May 2013
Venue: University of Exeter, XFi Henderson Lecture Theatre, Rennes Drives, Exeter, EX4 4RN
Set within the context of agricultural technology, Professor Sarah Gurr, the Alliance's Chair in Food Security, outlined how research taking place at Exeter is helping to improve our understanding of ecosystems.
The evening also provided the opportunity to hear the latest news about food security research at Exeter and in the South West.
One Biology One Health: Integrating Plant and Animal Health in a Sustainable Environment - Research Workshop
Date: 29 April 2013
Venue: Bath Innovation Centre. Carpenter House, Broad Quay, Bath, BA1 1UD.
This workshop brought together interdisciplinary research from across the Food Security Land Research Alliance, which impacts upon plant and animal health and subsequently food security. The aim of this workshop was to encourage new interactions and generate ideas for large scale collaborative grant applications.
Please see the agenda for more information.
Bridging the Gaps: Food Security at Exeter
Date: 1 Feb 2013
Venue: Innovation Centre, University of Exeter
To find innovative solutions to the big challenges society faces, researchers from across the disciplines need to work together creatively. The Exeter Science Exchange is a three-year project (Oct 2010 - Sept 2013) supported by the EPSRC's Bridging the Gaps initiative. It aims to create a physical and virtual environment where researchers can trade ideas, find inspiration, and build new partnerships. The Food Security at Exeter event aimed to raise awareness of Exeter's strengths in food security research across the disciplines and to explore how they can be better integrated; to identify future priorities; and to build on collaboration with key partners through the Food Security and Land Research Alliance. Speakers included Michael Winter, Director of the FSLRA; Mark Eisler, Bristol Veterinary School, who spoke about food security research at the University of Bristol and their collaborative role in the FSLRA; Keith Goulding, Rothamsted Research, who gave a presentation on research at the farm systems scale: the North Wyke Farm Platform; and Richard Hooley, University of Bath, who spoke about their role in the FSLRA.
Food security of animal production
Date: 27 September 2012
Venue: North Wyke Farm Platform, Devon
This two-day workshop focused on the food security of animal production. Researchers from partners in the FSLRA worked in small groups on specific projects, generating viable grant proposals for existing calls by the end of the workshop.
Trade-offs and synergies
Date: 1 March 2012
Venue: Syngenta, Jealotts Hill, Bracknell RG42 6ET
This ESKTN-LEAF Workshop, supported by the UK Food Chain Alliance, explored ‘trade-offs and synergies: working together to balance challenges and opportunities in UK farming', a timely forum for key stakeholders, farmers, environmentalists, government, retailers, educationalists, researchers and agricultural input companies to identify the synergies, trade-offs and compromises required if we are to meet the challenge of increased sustainable food production over the next 30 years. Keynote speakers who set the context for the discussions included Professor Michael Winter, Director of the FSLRA.
Big Dilemmas Symposium: The future use of land in the Southwest
Date: 30 Feb 2012
Venue: University of Exeter
The Big Dilemmas project is a new interdisciplinary initiative that works collaboratively towards solving complex sustainability problems, such as: How can we meet our energy and resource needs without jeopardising the natural environment and future needs? In 2011/12 the focus was the 'Future of land use in the Southwest: Food, water & energy security in the face of environmental change'. A group of twenty students from across the University were selected to form a think-tank that was supported by stakeholders and academics. The students presented their research in this area and offered some alternative ideas for sustainable land use in their final report.
