Publication - Research and analysis
Scottish Environment Food and Agriculture Research Institutes (SEFARI): analysis
Reports the findings of Rural and Environment Science and Analytical Services (RESAS) commissioned research to analyse how the five Main Research Providers (MRPs) relate to their collective identity as Scottish Environment Food and Agriculture Research Institutes (SEFARI), how they benefit from the collective identity, and how the SEFARI identity can best contribute to the next cycle of strategic research funding.
Appendix 1: MRP Overview
| BioSS | JHI | MRI | RINH | RBGE | SRUC | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research aims/focus | interface between the mathematically-based sciences and a wide span of applied sciences covering agriculture and the rural economy, the environment, food and health | To be at the forefront of innovative and transformative science for sustainable management of land, crop and natural resources that supports thriving communities. | greater understanding of disease pathogenesis, the development of diagnostic tests and the creation of novel vaccines. applies cutting edge science and technology to develop effective treatments, diagnostic tests and vaccines to safeguard livestock health. | play a major role in the UK research capability in nutrition and human health molecular studies on the impact of diet and health, social science and behaviour change, and population based studies. | a scientific centre for the study of plants, their diversity and conservation Scottish biodiversity Plants& Climate change Conservation |
A focus on the natural economy with expertise in Animal & Veterinary Sciences, Crops & Soils, Land Economy & Environment and Future Farming Systems |
| Users of research knowledge | support and research on mathematics and statistics to the other Main Research Providers, government agencies and other research institutions" | Land managers; Land agencies; NGOs; international science community; Business and enterprise e.g. crop breeders, extractive industries | Scientists work with farmers and vets to improve animal health and wellbeing and to support sustainable agriculture | food and drink industry policy e.g. food security; obesity schools, community |
Public Schools | National and internal sectors associated with the natural economy and rural industries |
| Main activities; Missions | To develop and apply quantitative methodologies with a rigorous mathematical and statistical basis. Research, Knowledge Exchange e.g. Consultancy, Training | Combines existing strengths in crops, soils and land use, social science and environmental research | conducts world class scientific research to improve livestock health and welfare through the prevention and control of infectious diseases of livestock. | Offering specialist support to industry, the Institute contributes to public policy and supports education at school, university and community levels. | a Non- Departmental Public Body and its functions are defined by the National Heritage (Scotland) Act 1985 including research, education, collections and public access | HEI - research, education and consultancy |
| Scottish Government relevance | Delivery of the Strategic Research Programme. BioSS provides support in quantitative science across the whole RESAS portfolio e.g. The Forum for Quantitative Science (FQS), with support from the Scottish Government, attended by staff from CAMERAS partnership organisations and RESAS MRPs. Collaboration with EPIC (CoE) |
Delivery of the Strategic Research Programme, SEFARI Gateway and all of the Centres of Expertise | Delivery of the Strategic Research Programme | Delivery of the Strategic Research Programme Much of the current research is sponsored by the Scottish Government and aims to address the big issues of our time, including food inequalities, food security and obesity, as well as the sustainable development of Scotland's food industry. |
Delivery of the Strategic Research Programme | Delivery of the Scottish Government Veterinary Surveillance Programs; Delivery of the Scottish Government Farm Advisory service; Delivery of RESAS SRP |
| Other funding sources | UKRI, EU, agencies and industry | Commercial, industry income | Major programmes of food and health-related research are also funded by the EU and research councils. | SFC, UKRI, industry | ||
| Organisational Characteristics/ activities | BioSS has a distributed structure, with staff located within offices of other MRPs, to enable close collaboration and full integration | offices and laboratories in Aberdeen and Dundee and employs approximately 550 staff. supports postgraduate students. a commercial subsidiary, James Hutton Limited, competitive advantage through science and technology, including consultancy and analytical services for research and commercial purposes. | The Moredun Foundation is a registered charity, with over 12,000 members from the farming, veterinary and associated industries. The Moredun Group now employs over 150 scientists, vets and support staff | MSc programmes Online courses Short courses | Tertiary education from FE through HE to MSc and PhD; Research; Consultancy" |
Authors' construction. Sources – websites last accessed 30 March 2020.
Scottish Government, Rural Environmental, Science and Analytical Service –Strategic Research – Research providers
BioSS – Biomathematics & Statistics Scotland
The James Hutton Institute
The Moredun Research Institute
The Rowett Institute
Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh
Scotland's Rural College (SRUC)
Contact
Email: csaenra@gov.scot
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