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New environmental research links with China

Professor Bob Ferrier (seated right) signs a memorandum of understanding
The Memoranda of Understanding will provide opportunities for bilateral exchange of research scientists and the appointment of joint studentships.

The James Hutton Institute and the Natural Environment Research Council’s Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, the Chinese Academy of Sciences and China Agricultural University have jointly announced a new Centre-Centre research collaboration developed to tackle some of the global challenges of food, water and energy security.

This unique Centre-Centre collaboration, built on the scientific excellence of the partner institutions, will provide knowledge and understanding to support long term economic growth hand in hand with environmental protection.

The Centre for Ecology and Hydrology and the James Hutton Institute will collaborate with the Chinese Academy of Sciences and its Research Centre for Eco-Environmental Sciences to initially target research on the remediation and recovery of polluted environments, water and food security and watershed management, soil contamination, and the development of eco-toxicology tools for environmental monitoring.

Signing the MOU at the Chinese Academy of Sciences

Photo: Professor Bob Ferrier (seated right) and Professor Mark Bailey (seated left) sign the agreement at the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

The collaboration with China Agricultural University’s Centre for Resources, Environment and Food Security will focus on food and water security, in particular, the damaging impact of air pollution on crop productivity, and promoting soil health and function.

Professor Bob Ferrier, Director of Research Impact at the James Hutton Institute, said: “This unique Centre-Centre collaboration will provide a long-term platform for science between UK and China which we aim to strengthen further in the coming years”.

“This signing is a significant development in establishing a critical mass to deliver science excellence in environmental research between China and the UK,” added Professor Mark Bailey, Director of the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology.

Mr Li Zhaohu, Vice President of China Agricultural University said: “We look forward to strengthening our partnership which will see scientists and students working between the two countries”.

Professor Jiang Guiblin, Director General of the Research Centre for Eco-Environmental Sciences pointed out that “this partnership is built on our shared understanding and I welcome the opportunity for us to work together”.

Professor Alan Jenkins, Director of the Water Research Programme at the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology highlighted the “importance of the collaboration in addressing the pressing challenges of food and water security”

The Centre-Centre collaboration will promote bilateral exchange, joint studentship opportunities and the development of collaborative research programmes. The Centre-Centre approach will strengthen the growing scientific relationship between UK and China.

The RCUK China team

Photo: The Research Councils UK China team helped facilitate the new collaboration (left to right) Jialin Yu, Mei Gan, Alicia Greated and Grace Lang.

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Printed from /news/new-environmental-research-links-china on 19/03/24 02:00:01 PM

The James Hutton Research Institute is the result of the merger in April 2011 of MLURI and SCRI. This merger formed a new powerhouse for research into food, land use, and climate change.