Working with industry and organisations

We run several research projects with commercial partners. For example:

• The development of an earthworm population dynamics model with an aim to letting Syngenta model the impacts of pesticides on earthworm populations as an intermediate between lab. tests and the more expensive and time consuming field tests. This is as a BBSRC CASE studentship awarded to Syngenta.

• A £2.3M investment by Defra in the Hampshire Avon Demonstration Test Catchment, to provide an integrated assessment of the effectiveness of potential mitigation measures for reducing diffuse pollution from agriculture. The University of Reading is one of 5 joint contractors, with project partners including ADAS Consulting, 2 other universities (Bristol QMUL), CEH, BGS, IGER North Wyke, the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust and industrial partners Wessex Water, HR Wallingford, Brook Lyndhurst and ENTEC.

• An investigation into the impacts of metal loads in sewage sludge in a project co-funded by Thames Water, Yorkshire Water, Anglian Water and Severn-Trent.

• A project investigating the ecological impact of phosphorus discharged from sewage treatment works, funding by UK Water Industry Research (UKWIR), and in collaboration with WS Atkins Ltd.
• The evaluation of the potential use of lower grade compost materials in land restoration and regeneration projects in collaboration with R3 Environmental Technology Limited.
• The development of artificial soils from waste derived materials with a number of waste management companies.
• The use of waste derived organic amendments (compost and digestate) as soil amendments in both agricultural situations and in projects for the restoration of contaminated land.

We can also provide consultancy via the school's commercial arm, Quaternary Scientific (QUEST).