CAWR Newsletter

August 2019

Our monthly newsletters are an easy way to keep up-to-date with new developments at our research centre. From successful project bids to upcoming events, our newsletter informs you on how we are 'driving innovative transdisciplinary research on resilient food and water systems.'

News

Reducing the use of plastic in vegetable production

On 26th September, in partnership with the Soil Association's Innovative Farmers scheme, CAWR will hold an event encouraging farmer-led research which aims to reduce and ultimately phase-out the use of plastic mulch films. The EU funded Organic-PLUS project led by CAWR, is already carrying out trials of alternative materials that could be used to suppress weeds and is inviting growers to come and see this work but also to devise their own on-farm 'field labs'. To register for this free event visit our booking page.

Analytical Chemistry Summer Studentship

Ramón González-Méndez was awarded an Analytical Chemistry Summer Studentship, from the Analytical Chemistry Trust Fund. The purpose of the awards was to give experience of research to undergraduates with research potential and to encourage them to consider a career in Analytical Chemistry research on completion of their undergraduate degree. This was granted to Mr. Peter Collins and he is undergoing his grant period.

14th International Meeting on Statistical Climatology

Jonathan Eden attended the 14th International Meeting on Statistical Climatology in Toulouse. This triennial gathering of statisticians and climatologists aims to advance the use of state-of-the-art statistics to better understand and quantify the effects of climate change and climate variability. Jonathan presented findings from on-going work in event attribution and seasonal prediction of forest fire risk, in addition to a recent paper on rainfall variability in southern Africa led by Bastien Dieppois.

New Scientific Instruments

Our laboratories are currently having a number of new scientific instruments installed over the next few months. Keep your eyes peeled for more updates on the following:

• Accelerated solvent extractor (Thermo ASE 350)
• Ion chromatography instrument (Thermo Scientific Integrion)
• Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (Agilent 8900)
•  Automated dual on-line solid phase extraction/injection system (Thermo Equan Max Plus) 
• Total Organic Carbon and Protein-Nitrogen analyzer for Solid & Liquid samples (Skalar Primacs SNC 100)

Agri Innovation Summit

Earlier on in the year, Michelle Taberner attended the Agri Innovation Summit in Normandy, France on behalf of the Organic-PLUS project team. The summit was a great opportunity to showcase the developing research that Organic-PLUS is carrying out to other European organisations. 

Food Hubs in the UK: Where are we and what next?

Paola Guzman Rodriguez has been working with University of Sheffield and the Food Research Collaboration (FRC) on a discussion paper regarding food hubs. The paper aims to explore the current situation of food hubs in the UK and learn from the US where food hubs have been implemented for longer and widely researched. The paper includes suggestions on how UK academia can support the development of food hubs in the UK. Click here to view the report.

Congratulations to Christabel

Christabel Buchanan successfully defending her thesis on Food Autonomy at a Time of Capitalist Crisis: A Participatory Video inquiry into Thessaloniki’s Autonomous Food Initiatives. Congratulations!

Oak Processionary moths

In CAWR’s Horizon2020 HOMED project, the team are looking at emerging forest pests and diseases. One new pest in Britain is the Oak Processionary moth, currently restricted to the London area. This summer 2019, the project team took part in the Forestry Commission’s Oak Processionary Moth Trapping at CAWR’s Ryton Gardens site, Coventry, as the Forestry Commission is monitoring for spread of this moth.. They followed the installation and monitoring guides for the pheromone trap, and luckily found zero Oak Processionary moths this year.

What do our students have to say about our MSc course? 

As our MSc students wrap up their projects, we asked our students some frequently asked questions about their experience. 

If you've already applied to join us in September then we look forward to meeting you! 

Events

We are as dry as the trees » : the challenges of conducting participatory work when the drought strikes with Carla Sarrouy Kay

High level scientific advice for a sustainable food system in Europe with Stuart Kirk

Biochar – integration with bioenergy and use in environmental applications with Ondrej Masek