Departmental news

A research collaboration between The University of Warwick, the Smithsonian Institution and Embrapa (Brazilian agricultural research), has shown that thousands of years of farming myths and cultural traditions have been key to the survival of the cassava crop (the source of tapioca).

Press release (7 March 2025)

Professor Rosemary Collier, an entomologist and applied ecologist, has been awarded an OBE in the New Year's Honours List for her pioneering work in horticultural science.

The New Year’s Honours list recognises individuals across the UK for their exceptional contributions to society. The honours celebrate those who have made a significant impact in various fields, acknowledging their outstanding service.

Based at Warwick Crop Centre, Professor Collier's research focuses on sustainable pest management in horticultural crops, using methods that minimise ecological impact. This includes biological and physical strategies, host plant resistance, and novel technologies for pest monitoring, offering valuable insights to farmers, growers, and gardeners.

Professor Collier said, “I’m extremely pleased and proud to be awarded this honour. I consider myself very fortunate to work in an area that combines my personal and professional passions for animals, plants, the natural environment, and food.

“Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege to work with exceptional colleagues and engage with the UK’s fresh produce industry, which contributes significantly to national health and happiness”.

Epidemiologist Dr Matt Combes was recently interviewed for the Guardian about Ash die-back in the UK and the scientific efforts to protect ash trees. The publication highlights Matt's review article on ash die-back and his more recent work at Warwick modelling the severity of the disease and how this may interact with the emerald ash borer beetle. The modelling is part of the SMARTIES (Surveillance and Management of multiple Risks to Treescapes: Integrating Epidemiology and Stakeholder behaviour) project.
Read the Guardian article (20 December 2024).
Photograph: Andy Soloman/Alamy

Master's student Ellie Cameron is one of four individuals across the UK who were selected to receive a postgraduate agricultural bursary for NFU Mutual’s 2024 Centenary Award. The award will support Ellie in her MSc in Food Security.

The Centenary Award was launched by rural insurer NFU Mutual to celebrate its 100^th anniversary in 2010; to support agricultural leaders of the future, and champion research and innovation within the industry. It provides annual bursaries to pay up to 75% of course fees for selected postgraduate students in agriculture. To select the award recipients, the judging panel looked for applicants who are not only excellent academic performers, but also have a real passion for UK agriculture and demonstrate potential to become a future industry leader.

NFU Mutual Press Release (December 2024).

Join the School of Life Sciences and our distinguished guest speaker Professor Tim Benton to explore the global challenge of navigating food security in an increasingly volatile world.

Thursday 24 October 2024, IBRB, Gibbet Hill.

Find out more and register.

The University of Warwick is celebrating 75 years of plant science research at its internationally recognised Crop Centre – the UK’s leading research facility for vegetable growers.

The Crop Centre, based at The University of Warwick’s Innovation Campus, Stratford-upon-Avon, was founded 75 years ago as the National Vegetable Research Station (NVRS) to address post-war pressure for food production. Research has continued on the site ever since, now incorporated into the University’s School of Life Sciences (SLS).

Press Release (23 July 2024)

Researchers at the University’s internationally recognised Warwick Crop Centre are reflecting on a new government report, ‘A blueprint to grow the UK fruit and vegetable sector’, which details plans to support the fresh fruit and vegetable sector.

Press Release (23 May 2024)

Professor Eric Holub has been selected by The British Science Association (BSA) as one of its Scientific Section Presidents for 2024. The Scientific Section Presidents are science professionals who play a crucial role in shaping the British Science Festival programme each year. Eric was nominated for making a significant contribution in the Agriculture and Food section for his work with Eat wise, cook with MAGIC.

Press Release (16 May 2024).

Led by Professor Robin Allaby, a new expedition is set to delve into Europe’s pivotal Mesolithic Stone Age site, Bouldnor Cliff. The expedition is a race against time to the submerged prehistoric settlement as erosion threatens its complete loss.

Press Release (26 April 2024).