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The humble potato is a marvel – but science can still improve it

Tatties, taters, spuds - whatever you call potatoes probably reflects your cultural and geographical background. Since first introduced to the world from South America, they have lifted millions of our predecessors out of food poverty and fuelled the industrial revolution. The loss of the potato harvest in the 19th century to potato blight disease also precipitated mass migration from Ireland and Scotland to the north Americas and beyond.

Hutton forensic soil scientist awarded RSE medal for earth science

The James Hutton institute’s Head of Forensic Soil Science, Professor Lorna Dawson, has become the first winner of the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s (RSE) medal for earth and environmental sciences.

The new medal, named after the institute’s namesake and RSE founder member James Hutton, recognises Professor Dawson’s exceptional achievements in soil and environmental science, including developing and pioneering the use of soil science to solve crime in the UK and further afield.

Scottish innovation in Edinburgh World Water Day spotlight

Scotland’s water sector leaders, from academia to industry and government, will gather in Edinburgh tomorrow [22nd March ] to discuss how Scottish innovation and cooperation can safeguard global water sustainability and resilience.

The World Water Day 2023 event will see around 150 sector professionals in person and many more online to explore emerging trends and opportunities in the sector, from health through to urban infrastructure.

Research farm opens its gates for Climate Week

A northeast farm that’s working to show how agriculture can be both climate positive and nature friendly is opening its gates – and new EV charging points – to the public at the end of the month.

As part of this year’s Climate Week North East, visitors to The James Hutton Institute’s Glensaugh research farm, southeast of Cairn o’Mount, will be able to take free, one to two hour, 3 km-long guided walks around the farm over two days.

Last chance for farmers and land managers to enter Scotland’s Best Soil in Show competition

The James Hutton Institute is issuing a last call for farmers and land managers across Scotland to enter its long-running soil competition, Best Soil in Show, which aims to highlight the importance of healthy soils across the country.

Soil samples will be analysed by the Institute’s leading scientists against compositional, structural, and chemical criteria to gauge how optimally managed the soils are.

Project manager appointed for Aberdeen institute’s Just Transition Hub

Faithful+Gould has been selected by The James Hutton Institute as the project manager for its new Just Transition Hub in Aberdeen, following the award of £7.2 million for the project from the Scottish Government late last year.

As project lead, Faithful+Gould, part of the SNC-Lavalin Group, will be appointing and leading a multi-disciplinary team providing quantity surveying and supervisory roles for the design and build of the hub.

Green tech start-up takes tenancy at The James Hutton Institute

Fast-growing green hydrogen technology start-up sHYp has moved into offices and laboratory space at The James Hutton Institute in Aberdeen with plans to expand to five staff on site by summer.

The move gives sHYp access to the institute’s specialist analytical equipment and expertise. This will help it to develop what could be the first electrolyser able to produce hydrogen from sea water, without the need for desalination, which traditional electrolysis techniques need. 

Scottish field trials show cost of shift to sustainable farming

Farmers who want to adopt more sustainable and environmentally friendly farming methods could face lower short-term margins, but the long-term benefits could outweigh the pain, according to the results of an innovative crop trial in Scotland.

James Hutton Institute invests £1.75 million in latest hi-spec lab equipment

The James Hutton institute has invested more than £1.75 million in new, state-of-the-art laboratory equipment to enhance its leading independent scientific research capabilities across food, plant and soil health and quality.

The largest investment is in what is the only one of its kind Scotland, a combined ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHLC) and high-resolution mass spectrometer (MS).

Escape to the country

A shift to hybrid working practices following the coronavirus pandemic has led to some people swapping city living for country life. Now an international project will explore the scale, and pros and cons, of urban migration into rural, island and coastal communities across the globe.


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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.