Press Releases

Public lecture - Feeding the world, climate change and global food security – University of Reading

Release Date : 27 October 2009

hand holding cropsWith our current knowledge, how confident can we be that food crop production in a changing climate can feed the world's growing population? On Tuesday 3 November Professor Tim Wheeler will present Feeding the world - climate change and global food security.

In this the 2nd talk in the University's fascinating 2009/2010 Public Lecture Series Professor Wheeler, from the University's School of Agricultural, Policy & Development, will explain how climate change will affect food crops around the world.

Tim will look at recent projections of the impacts on global agriculture, and the techniques researchers use to make these predictions.

Professor Wheeler said: "As climate change brings more extreme weather, how will farming communities around the world be affected and how can they adapt to the impacts of climate change?

"As one of the major providers of education in the Thames Valley, we are very keen to hold these kinds of public lectures," said Laura Walsh, organiser of the Public Lecture Series. "Lectures are given by researchers eminent in their field and in a manner that is easily understood by all. They offer a unique opportunity to learn about the cutting-edge research, teaching and people that make the University a world-class institute. The lectures are incredibly popular with all sorts of different people, and always lead to some lively debate afterwards."

Watch Professor Wheeler's research film on the effects of crops on climate change

All of the University Public Lectures start at 8pm and will be held in the Palmer Building n the University's Whiteknights campus. Lectures are free to attend and no ticket is required. Please visit the public lecture series website for more details or contact Laura Walsh on 0118 378 4313 or email l.j.walsh@reading.ac.uk

Ends

For all media enquiries please contact James Barr, University of Reading Press Officer on 0118 378 7115 or by email on j.w.barr@reading.ac.uk

• The University of Reading is rated as one of the top 200 universities in the world (THE-QS World Rankings 2009).

• The University of Reading is one of the UK's top research-intensive universities. The University is ranked in the top 20 UK higher education institutions in securing research council grants worth nearly £10 million from EPSRC, ESRC, MRC, NERC, AHRC and BBSRC. In the RAE 2008, over 87% of the university's research was deemed to be of international standing. Areas of particular research strength recognised include meteorology and climate change, typography and graphic design, archaeology, philosophy, food biosciences, construction management, real estate and planning, as well as law.

• Standards of teaching are excellent - the University scored highly in the National Student Survey 2009. 87% of Reading students responding to the survey stated they were satisfied with the quality of their course.

• The University is estimated to contribute £600 million to the local economy annually.

• University of Reading is a member of the 1994 Group of 19 leading research-intensive universities. The Group was established in 1994 to promote excellence in university research and teaching. Each member undertakes diverse and high-quality research, while ensuring excellent levels of teaching and student experience. www.1994group.ac.uk

• More information at www.reading.ac.uk

 

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