Centre for Evidence Based Agriculture
Current and Past Research Projects
The projects that we carry out in the CEBA span a broad range of topics and utilise a variety of different evidence collation and synthesis methods. The selected projects below highlight the variety of topics addressed and methods used. A more comprehensive list of current and recent research projects can be viewed using the links in the 'projects list' area below.
Highlighted projects
Critical review of food and feed safety vulnerabilities in the circular economy
Aim: To describe the current degree of uptake of circular economy in Europe and to identify and characterise emerging risks for plant, animal and human health and the environment related to the circular economy, resulting from new hazards and new exposure pathways.
Type of project: Critical review
Funders: European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)
Purpose: To gather information and evaluate the evidence for vulnerabilities of circular economy for food/feed safety, plant, animal and human health and the environment.
Partners: This multidisciplinary project includes staff from from across different departments at Harper Adams University, together with a specialist risk assessment consultant from Lancaster University.
Evidence for humane stunning in the slaughter of wild-caught fish for food
Aim: To identify and describe the evidence base surrounding humane stunning methods of relevance to the slaughter of wild-caught fish for food
Type of project: Systematic map and feasibility analysis
Funders: Humane Slaughter Association
Purpose: To investigate the feasibility of humane stunning in wild-capture commercial fisheries
Partners: University of Gothenburg, Silsoe Livestock Systems Ltd, University of Kelaniya
Critical Review of slurry storage ammonia emissions and their mitigation
Aim: To better understand the factors that control release of ammonia from stored slurry and opportunities for reducing emissions during storage
Type of project: Quick scoping review
Funder: Environment Agency
Purpose: To inform decision-making about mitigating ammonia emission from stored slurry
Partners: Bern University, Aarhus University, Stockholm Environment Institute York, Heathside Consulting
Food waste management in the food retail sector
Aim: To identify strategies used in food retail for managing food waste. The systematic map forms part of the 3-year €8m Horizon 2020 AgroCycle project addressing the recycling and valorisation of waste from the agri-food sector
Type of project: Systematic map
Funders: European Commission and Peoples Republic of China
Lead Organisation: University College Dublin
Purpose: To identify strategies used in the food retail sector for managing food waste.
Partner: Harper Adams University & 24 other partners
Potato Gap Analysis: Identifying the future crop protection needs for the potato crop
Aim: To identify gaps in potato crop protection across the sector, for a wide range of targets in the growing crop and storage.
Type of project: Gap analysis
Purpose: To inform crop protection research priorities and integrated pest management strategies in the sector.
Funder: Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board.
Organics – Establishing the strategic framework.
Aim: To assess the existing evidence base on the environmental and socio-economic impacts of organic production systems compared to conventional, of relevance to Scotland
Type of project: Rapid Evidence Assessment and analysis of survey data
Purpose: To inform Scottish organic policy
Funder: Scottish Government
Partner: James Hutton Institute
Student research
The CEBA hosts both funded and self funded student research projects. If you are interested in carrying out a student project we welcome informal enquiries. Examples of current and past research projects are listed below:
PhD research
- Dileyni Diaz De Oleo - Food safety in the hospitality industry in the Dominican Republic
- Dr Claire Blowers - Multifunctional field margins for delivery of ecosystem services (water quality protection, pollinator support and bio-control) BBSRC/Syngenta icase
- Dr Helen Bayliss - The use of information and research synthesis methods with reference to invasive species.
MRes research
- Salvador Prats Aparicio - What is the evidence for humane stunning in the slaughter of wild-caught fish for food? Humane Slaughter Association
Undergraduate and taught postgraduate students also work on evidence synthesis projects with centre staff. Below is listed a selection of 2021 student projects.
MSc student research project titles
- A conceptual analysis of how human-nature relationships are perceived within the conceptual frameworks that form the basis of current UK agri-environmental policy
- The effects of tree species diversity on forest resistance to natural disturbance - A systematic map
- How do grazed grassland communities affect soil quality?
BSc (hons) research project titles
- What is the available evidence for the effects on non-target terrestrial vertebrates (birds, mammals and reptiles) of commonly used neonicotinoids in arable crop production from 2016-2021? A systematic map
Current and past research projects hosted by the CEBA
Listed below is a selection of current and past projects led by CEBA staff:
Agri-Environment
- Evidence for the impact of neonicotinoid insecticides on the environment, mitigation measures and the potential environmental and economic consequences of not using this class of products
- The multifunctional roles of vegetated strips around and within agricultural fields
- Linking evidence and policy for managing biodiversity in the agricultural landscape
- Review of the value of mob or holistic grazing regimes used to support management of historic and ecological assets
- Innovation in arable systems and their impacts on heritage assets
Environment and Policy
- The impact of on-farm mitigation measures for delivering an improved water environment
- The effectiveness of integrated farm management, organic farming and agri-environment schemes as interventions for conserving biodiversity
- Rapid Evidence Assessment and Quick Scoping Review for water policy decision making
- Quick Scoping Review on the impact of amenity pesticides on the water environment
- Organics - Establishing The Strategic Framework
- A scientific perspective on micro plastic pollution
- Critical review of slurry storage ammonia emissions and their mitigation
- A systemic approach to the energy transition in Europe
Risk Assessments
- Critical review of food and feed safety vulnerabilities in circular economy
- Rapid evidence assessment of the relative risks to human health from the occurrence of antimicrobial resistance and antibiotic resistance genes in the aquatic environment
- Mycotoxin contamination: Assessment of risk in livestock systems
Business
- Farm Business Management Tools and Techniques
- What is the effectiveness of agriculture interventions on agricultural investment, yields and income for smallholder farmers in Africa?
- Food waste management in the food retail sector
- Improving the economic sustainability of small-scale rubber farms in Thailand
Livestock and Animal Welfare
Agronomy
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