Research

We have substantial experience of applied research working across the boundaries of the natural and social sciences. Our research foci are on the serious issues that face us now and in the future connected with the food, fuel and fibres. Our interests range from farm animal welfare to factors influencing increasing levels of obesity, from the impacts of trade liberalisation to poverty alleviation in the face of rapid population growth, and the impacts of agricultural production on biodiversity and the factors which lead to a sustainable rural environment.

Our research is grouped into the five areas of:

Our work contributes to the University wide inter-disciplinary research themes in: Food Chain and Health, , Poverty, Exclusion and Access, and the Walker Institute for Climate System Research.

46 staff in the School were submitted to RAE 2008. Forty-five percent of our outputs were rated as either world leading or internationally excellent. The University of Reading submission to the Agriculture, Food and Veterinary Science panel is ranked 5th out of 30 submissions analysed in the Research Fortnight measure of "Research Power". Reading is the UK's top university for impact in Agricultural Sciences research (ISI Web of Knowledge, Essential Science Indicators).