The Elizabeth Creak Chair in Food Security

The Elizabeth Creak Trust generously donated £1m over 5 years to create the position of Elizabeth Creak Chair in Food Security. In 2016, we welcomed Professor Murray Grant to this post. Professor Grant’s research interests are in the molecular basis of plant microbe interactions and he is raising our profile in fundamental and strategic plant and crop science. Professor Grant is contributing to sustainability of the agriculture industry in the UK and globally through research, education and public engagement.

Elizabeth Creak Charitable Trust Studentship

Robert Hebden is a Postgraduate Environmental Biosciences student currently investigating different cotton cultivation systems across the US to further our knowledge of low-input cultivation systems. He is deeply interested in sustainable agriculture, especially for fibres and food as he aspires to work in sustainable fashion or food systems once he has concluded his studies.

Research Title: Life Cycle Assessment of different Cotton Cultivation Systems across the USA: Better Cotton Initiative (Agroecological), Organic and Conventional.

To the donors, I thank you so much for such a generous donation, it has enabled me to focus my attention on my studies uninterrupted throughout the year without the burden of financial stress. I hope that with your donation, I can truly assist in changing the world.

Robert Hebden,
Elizabeth Creak Charitable Trust Studentship

The Trust's support for both people and facilities is making a significant difference to our research and impact programme. Warwick is very strong in Plant and Agricultural Science with scientists researching all aspects of plant health, production and basic plant biology. The Warwick Crop Centre helps translate much of this research to benefit farmers and advisers.

Professor Miriam Gifford,
Head of the School of Life Sciences

My primary research seeks to understand the molecular basis of plant defence and deploy this knowledge to develop more pathogen resistant crops. Secondly, I am interested in the bioactive compounds that beneficial organisms in the soil produce to both enhance crop growth and control pathogens. Warwick provides the multidisciplinary environment for such research with world-leading Mathematics and Chemistry Departments and crucially, the expertise at the Warwick Crop Centre, close to the original farm of Elizabeth Creak, provides the unique ability for translating findings from the lab into the field.

Professor Murray Grant,
Elizabeth Creak Chair in Food Security