Research

Talking hemp – the super crop

A new podcast, released today by Scotland’s Rural College’s Rural Policy Centre, looks at why so few farmers are currently growing hemp in Scotland.…

SRUC
21/09/2023

New graphic highlights human impact on the Earth’s critical zone

New research published by researchers from the UK and China could be key to tackling the effects of climate change on global food security.…

SRUC
18/09/2023

Could taxing unhealthy food help tackle climate change?

A new study, involving researchers at SRUC, has found that taxing foods high in fats, sugar and salt could potentially reduce emissions from food consumption, but it is unlikely that one policy could achieve both nutritional and climate goals. …

SRUC
18/09/2023

Equality, Opportunity, Community: What does it mean for Scotland’s rural communities?

If the First Minister is to achieve his ambition of delivering a wellbeing economy which is ‘fair, green and growing’, policies need to deliver for rural and island Scotland as much as they do for urban Scotland. Read more from our Rural Policy Centre's response to the Scottish Government's Programme for Government 2023-24 here.…

Rural Policy Centre
06/09/2023

Net-zero Cabinet Secretary sees SRUC climate research in action

Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Net Zero and Just Transition has been learning about some of the cutting-edge climate change research being carried out at SRUC.…

SRUC
31/08/2023

Fresh analysis will guide future agriculture policy

Twelve reports have been produced that explore some of the options and mechanisms the Scottish Government will need to consider while developing its upcoming plans for agriculture with a renewed focus on delivering for both industry and for nature. …

SRUC
29/08/2023

New resources to help farmers manage land with beavers

The Farm Advisory Service has published new resources to help farmers learn about managing land with beavers. …

Farm Advisory Service
25/08/2023

Report offers nuanced view of island and very remote regions

Scotland’s islands and very remote mainland regions have come under a “more nuanced lens” in a bid to better understand the challenges facing these communities – as well as future opportunities.…

SRUC
01/08/2023

Lost in translation? Insights from an international approach to rural issues at ESRS 2023

Dr Ana Vuin, a Research Fellow with the Rural Policy Centre, shares her experience of attending The European Society for Rural Sociology’s biennial congress in July 2023.…

Ana Vuin
27/07/2023

Flower power at heart of methane reduction research

SRUC scientists’ research into reducing cattle methane emissions using a chemical from daffodils is part of a project awarded £2.8 million by the Department for Environmental Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).…

SRUC
11/07/2023

SRUC part of £2.9m low-methane sheep project

SRUC scientists are lending their expertise to a major new project designed to breed sheep with a naturally low carbon footprint.…

SRUC
07/07/2023

Scientists record rats ‘talking’ with their mouths full

While people generally believe it is bad manners to talk with your mouth full, this is not the case with rats according to scientists.…

SRUC
29/06/2023