Research

The world faces significant challenges, from food security to climate change. At SRUC, we have a vital role in responding to these challenges and creating opportunities.

Our researchers work locally and internationally to better understand and to transform the world around us.

Working with industry and policy makers, our staff and students design, develop and deliver real-world change to benefit the global natural economy.

Head of Research

Eileen Wall

As Head of Research at SRUC, I am dedicated to driving excellence in research, developing and implementing the research strategy. I am also Professor in Integrative Livestock Genetics with my research leading to significant advancements in genetic improvement tools both domestically and internationally. My areas of expertise include climate change and livestock systems, genetics of fitness traits, sustainable breeding goals, and national livestock genetic evaluations. I actively engage in research, research supervision, and teaching activities at SRUC. Additionally, I contribute to policy development, particularly in addressing greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture, by providing expert advice and consultancy to national and international bodies. I serve on journal editorial boards, funding and evaluation bodies including BBSRC, Innovate-UK, and REF2021.

Challenge Centres

Our Challenge Centres will tackle some of the world’s most pressing issues and produce research that influences industry, policy, communities and society.

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Prof Davy McCracken

Head of Department and Head of Research Centre

Andrew Barnes

Professor of Rural Resource Economics

Dr Hannah Rudman

Reader & Co-Director of the Thriving Natural Capital Centre

Dr Carol-Anne Duthie

Head of Beef and Sheep Research Centre

Research activities

We have a very broad spectrum of research activities from animal behaviour, genetics and epidemiology to soils, agricultural systems and environmental factors.

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Facilities & capabilities

SRUC has several research centres across Scotland, working on a vast variety of topics.

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Open access

You can access our research outputs, learn more about our research team, see our current and past research projects and much more on SRUC Pure. The portal aims to showcase and preserve our research outputs and make it more accessible to anyone with an interest.

Our researchers carry out strategic and applied research on global and local food security issues, and actively support the translation of research results into practice. Our research ethos is strongly collaborative, and we have a long history of industrial, NGO and academic partnerships, locally and internationally.

We have longstanding disciplinary strengths in several key areas and actively promote interdisciplinary research, especially linking natural and social sciences.

We have a particular interest in research that helps inform policy, with Scottish and UK Government rural affairs and environment departments and the EU as key research clients.