SCRI’s scientists are making the results of their research available to an even wider audience…particularly those charged with drawing up public policy.

The areas of science include climate change, food-health issues, sustainable development and protecting our natural biodiversity.

SCRI is a partner in KnowledgeScotland a website is designed to help scientists work more effectively with Government and others planning Scotland’s future.

Supported by the Scottish Government, the initiative offers a focal point for researchers at SCRI, the Macaulay Institute, the Moredun Research Institute, the Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health and SAC (Scottish Agricultural College).

Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, said: “The world-class research these organisations collectively provide is helping tackle major challenges. This exciting new initiative will help deliver key outputs from the scientific community. I am particularly pleased that the needs of policy makers for accessible, readily understood information have been recognised”.

KnowledgeScotland puts science-policy connections online. It carries interactive briefings on a whole range of research projects allowing scientists and those interested in policy to communicate directly. It offers a novel approach to the transfer of knowledge and allows scientists, policy makers and other interest groups to work together on open house events, secondment schemes and other forms of joint working.

SCRI’s briefings include: climate change scenarios and issues for Scotland; health and wellbeing - soft fruit and human health; biodiversity plant genetic resources; sustainability - managed systems and also resource use efficiency (plant nutrition) and by late in the year, another topic linked to sustainability - plant diseases control.

SCRI is also working with the Moredun Research Institute to run a two-day workshop in Edinburgh in October to examine many of these important themes.

More information from:

Lorraine Wakefield, Information and Online Service Officer, SCRI, Invergowrie, Dundee, DD2 5DA. Tel: 01382 560047 (direct line) or 01382 562731 (switchboard).