Hutton Highlights, February 2019

Scotland-India research collaboration delivers clean water for primary schools Primary school students in India will benefit from wastewater treatment and clean water at their school thanks to a joint project led by the James Hutton Institute and funded by the Scottish Government. While visiting India, Scotland’s Deputy First Minister John Swinney welcomed the pioneering sanitation system to improve conditions for 206 pupils and 10 staff at Berambadi Primary School in Karnataka. The project is the result of collaboration between Scottish and Indian water and social scientists to deliver a low-cost wastewater treatment system for rural schools in India. The system is designed to be easily adapted to different sites and conditions, meaning more schools and communities will benefit from the project. As he met Scottish and Indian academics involved in the project, Mr Swinney said: “Clean water is vital for a good quality of life and we want to be a world leader in the responsible management of our most critical resource. “We have an obligation to reach out to the world with our expertise to help others, to improve lives and advance our understanding of how to manage water sustainably, both now and in response to future challenges. “This wastewater treatment system here at Berambadi is designed to recover resources, improve public health and safeguard the environment. I am pleased this system has been implemented with the local community in mind and in a low- cost, sustainable way.” The James Hutton Institute led the project along with colleagues from the Indian Institute of Science, the University of Glasgow, environmental non-profit the Ashoka Trust, and staff of the school. “This initiative is hugely exciting because it integrates social science and new technologies to deliver on an ambitious and important Sustainable Development Goal: providing clean water and sanitation for all by 2030,” Dr Rachel Helliwell said. “We are glad to count on the support of the Scottish Government through the Hydro Nation International Programme, as well as the close input of our partners at the University of Glasgow, the Indian Institute of Science, the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment and the local community.” You can watch a video about the project produced by ATREE Bangalore below: 16 Hutton Highlights Some dates for your diary Date Event Location Who should come and why? 5 - 6 March 2019 ​Scottish Land Reform in a Global Context - workshop James Hutton Institute, Aberdeen Academics, policy makers, land managers 7 March 2019 SSCR Potato Winter Meeting James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie Primarily SSCR members but also open to anyone in the potato industry 22 March 2019 World Water Day Apex Grassmarket, Edinburgh CREW/Hydronation and outside stakeholders - this workshop focuses on the resilience of Scotland’s climate extremes and provides invited delegates to share observations, experiences, research outcomes and innovative ideas to help build resilience and adapt to drought conditions from a Scottish perspective. Invitation only 22 May 2019 SSCR Annual General Meeting and Lecture James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie Primarily SSCR members but also open to anyone interested in agricultural policy 9 June 2019 Open Farm Sunday James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie A FREE event open to the general public – learn more about how the work we do at the Institute helps the farming industry 20 - 23 June 2019 Royal Highland Show Ingliston Show Ground, nr Edinburgh Policy makers, farming community, general public - showcase of Hutton’s contribution to research and development and how this contributes to the success of Scottish farming, food and drink and our land-based industries 2 July 2019 Arable Scotland James Hutton Institute, Balruddery Farm, Dundee A new, high profile event for the Scottish arable industry – producers, primary & secondary processors, representative bodies 25 July 2019 Fruit for the Future James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie One of the Institute’s longest-running events – aimed at farmers, agronomists, food and drink representatives and others in the soft fruit industry 8 August 2019 Potatoes in Practice James Hutton Institute, Balruddery Farm, Angus The UK’s biggest field-based event for the potato industry – aimed at farmers, agronomists, breeders and others in the potato industry 2 October 2019 42nd TB Macaulay Lecture Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh Political/policy/academics/stakeholders/general public – the lecture is designed to stimulate thinking and dialogue about contemporary environmental issues. The lectures are designed to inform a professional audience and each year we host a world renowned speaker from across the globe and this year we are delighted to welcome Professor Dieter Helm CBE February 2019 17 Comments? The Hydro Nation International Programme promotes Scotland’s response to key global water challenges, and already supports an international fellowship programme. The programme provides high-quality PhD training to deliver the water leaders of the future, bridge gaps in global water knowledge and enhance Scottish capacity in areas of existing research excellence. 19-20 November 2019 Food Matters Live – Reception and Speakers in programme London, ExCeL Centre Food industry and general public – public exhibition in London ExCeL bringing together hundreds of exhibitors and speakers to visitors interested in the global food and drink industry. Unique event dedicated to creating cross-sector connections focusing on the future of food, drink and sustainable nutrition