Diversity of research highlighted at annual conference

The diversity of research being carried out at Harper Adams University has been put under the microscope at the institution’s sixth annual research conference.

The event drew together academics, PhD students, Technicians, Postdoctoral Researchers, and more, with both oral and poster presentations.

In total, more than 100 people registered for the day, with 23 posters and 16 talks filling a packed schedule.

Opening proceedings, Harper Adams Vice-Chancellor Professor Ken Sloan reflected on the institution’s history as it prepares to mark its 125^th anniversary.

He said: “As a result of that anniversary, a number of us have spent quite a bit of time in the archives of the institution.

“What has been really interesting is there are some people out there who think research at Harper really started when it became a University – when, in reality, it was the fact that Harper was doing research which helped its case to become a University, helped it to get research degree awarding powers, and to helped it to become a credible force.

“If you go back to the early 1900s, you can see the Government commissioning this institution to do research- you’ve got over 125 years of thought that has gone into this institution.”

Research discussed during the day included a collaborative project drawing on work with UK Dairy co-operative Arla; an investigation into food insecurity in Jordan and its implications for regional stability; and plans for smart pest monitoring, looking at vine weevils in two commercial nurseries through smart monitoring devices.

Posters displayed included collaborative work on the use of Artificial Intelligence to boost entrepreneurship, agricultural productivity and inclusive development in sub-Saharan Africa; ways to increase young people’s awareness of agricultural careers; and the latest work developing climate resilient vegetables.

Talking about how he’d paused to discuss the poster with one of its authors on the way to make his opening address, Professor Sloan added: “The whole focus on climate resilient crops could not be more important than now.

“Whether it’s the excessive heat we now know is part of climate in all parts of the world, or excessive flooding or excessive extremes which start to happen, we still have a planet with 10 million people to feed, and it is brilliant that that type of research is being done at this institution.”

Speaking after the event, Professor Dawn Arnold, Associate Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research and Research Culture, said: “Each year, the conference highlights research from right across the University community – with contributions from early-career PhD students to long-standing Professors.

“It’s an excellent opportunity to hear about the exciting research carried out here and also gives plenty of opportunity for our researchers, technical and support staff to network, swap ideas and build a stronger research community.

“I’d like to thank everyone who took part on the day – and who helped to organise it – for making another brilliant conference possible.”