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Image credit: V. Atakos (©CCAFS)

Research in the School of Agriculture, Policy and Development is driven by the key challenges we face in the world today, and aligns closely with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Research with impact

  • We are ranked amongst the top 20 in the world for Agriculture and Forestry and 1st in the UK (QS World Ranking by Subject, 2023). 
  • 100% of our research in international development is of international standing (Research Excellence Framework 2021, combining 4*, 3* and 2* submissions in Anthropology and Development Studies).
  • 95% of our research in agriculture and agri-food economics is of international standing (REF 2021, combining 4*, 3* and 2* submissions in Agriculture, Veterinary and Food Sciences).

 

Our expertise

We live in an ever-changing world where global challenges such as poverty, hunger, climatic and environmental change are closely linked with agricultural and food systems. Our research helps to address these challenges and provides policy makers with relevant scientific evidence to make informed decisions.

The School's research staff span a range of disciplines across the natural and social sciences – from economists and anthropologists to animal, crop and environmental scientists – all located within a single School.

 

Our academic departments

Research in the School is organised around five academic departments:

  • Agri-Food Economics and Marketing: studying sustainable food system transformation – from production to consumer behaviour – to protect the environment and improve human health.
  • Animal Sciences: increasing the sustainability of animal production and exploring the links between foods and consumer health.
  • Crop Science: tackling issues such as sustainable intensification of crop production, breeding for climate resilience, and horticultural growing technologies and systems.
  • International Development: enabling sustainable futures through research, partnership and training on the critical interfaces between agriculture, people and development.
  • Sustainable Land Management: co-developing land management practices to simultaneously address agricultural and environmental challenges.

 

Interdisciplinary research

Our research staff play key roles in a variety of interdisciplinary University-wide centres, including:

 

Research alliances

Researchers in the School of Agriculture, Policy and Development are collaborating with organisations such as EIT Food and The Planetary Health Alliance to affect positive change through research.

Learn more about our research alliances

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Meet the team

We have a diverse team of experts across five academic departments.

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Our facilities

Explore our extensive, specialist facilities – from arable and dairy farms to analytical laboratories.

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PhD study

The School of Agriculture, Policy and Development has a world-class reputation for research. Join our diverse postgraduate community and receive the research training you need to help you succeed.