Hartpury University welcomed over 120 guests to its second-ever annual Christmas lecture on Wednesday 6 December. The community-focused event gave a glimpse into the intriguing and exciting world of research being carried out at the Gloucestershire institution, aiming to inspire the next generation of students, academics and researchers.
This year, Professor Matt Bell, Director of Agriculture at Hartpury University delivered an enlightening and thought-provoking presentation that delved into technology and its position in industry. His expertise and engaging delivery captivated the audience, prompted them to consider the traditional methods of farming in the context of a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
Guests were also served mince pies and mulled wine, as formal academia took on a lighter, festive note.
The lecture explored the significant impact of big data in farming, emphasising its role in optimising productivity, resource management and environmental sustainability. By harnessing the power of data analytics and technology, farmers are empowered to meet the challenges of feeding a global population and managing the industry’s impact on the environment.
During his opening address, Professor Andy Collop, Vice-Chancellor of Hartpury University recognised the need to find and incorporate solutions to these global challenges. He said: “We stand at a pivotal moment in the history of agriculture. The rapid advancements in technology have brought about an unprecedented transformation in the way we approach farming and food production. At the heart of this revolution lies digital agriculture and agri technologies, which have the potential to transform the industry and address the fine balance of feeding a growing global population while also promoting sustainability.”
Guests also had an opportunity to explore more about the research activities at Hartpury University and to learn about the institution’s new Digital Studio, launched earlier this year. The studio provides students, staff and industry partners with the chance to access virtual reality and simulators to safely learn using the latest technologies.
Professor Steve Draper, Academic Dean at Hartpury University said: “We’re delighted that the second-ever annual lecture was such a success, following the inaugural event in 2022. These events are hugely valuable for us as an educational institution, providing us with an informal way to share our knowledge with the community, and hopefully inspiring one or two to pursue a career in research or our specialist industries.”
Click here to watch the free-to-access recording from the evening.
Research and the community
Hartpury’s calendar of research activities and knowledge exchange continues to build. In July 2023, Hartpury University staff, students, and invited guests celebrated the end of a busy academic year at the institution’s annual Hartpury Research Conference: Making a difference. Students and staff presented an outstanding selection of research from Hartpury’s varied range of subject areas. PhD students were challenged to communicate their project within three minutes, an attribute that will help them to share knowledge with a wider audience in a concise way.
Events such as the annual Christmas lecture will continue as vital outreach activities, informing the community of the exciting work being carried out at the university. Research carried out by Hartpury University, submitted as part of the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 process, was even recognised as ‘world-leading’ and ‘internationally excellent’, placing Hartpury amongst a prestigious group of well-established institutions. The REF is a UK-wide assessment of the quality of research in universities undertaken by expert review panels and is undertaken on behalf of the Government.
