The Natural Resources Institute (NRI) of the University of Greenwich is a leader in natural resources research, promoting efficient management and use of renewable natural resources in support of sustainable livelihoods. Research is primarily focused on developing and emerging economies. However, much of the work involves interaction with the developed world where it is equally applicable. Our research contributes to the environmentally sound management of physical and biological resources for use by future generations, and to the development of human and social capital.

NRI's research falls into the broad areas of:

• agriculture, food, the environment and natural resources management,
• and this is underpinned by a strong socio-economic capability that enables us to link technologies to social issues and needs.

Recent initiatives have seen an increased emphasis on policy analysis in sustainable development that is enhancing programmes in social and institutional development and improving the coherence of research in agricultural policy. Our comparative advantage lies in the wide range of scientific, technical and social science skills that we combine in an interdisciplinary, practical approach to solving problems.

Research Infrastructure

Research is carried out by about 80 scientific and technical staff based mainly at Chatham, but also at Kew Gardens, Imperial College at Silwood Park, University of Melbourne and in laboratories and the field overseas. At Chatham we have modern laboratories with DEFRA-approved controlled-environment insectaries and greenhouses. These are fully integrated with the University's wider facilities, including a world-class library in tropical agriculture as well as computing and statistical support.

 

Recent additions to our equipment include real-time PCR, LCMS, GCMS, fluorescent microscope, insect-movement imaging, and equipment for transient kinetic and proteomics analyses. To provide an improved working environment for PhD students, IT equipment in their study area was upgraded in 2006.

 

All research procedures are covered by ISO 9001 (1994) registration including procedures for preparation, approval and quality control of proposals for research funding, as well as for ensuring quality and timeliness of reports to funding organizations and for submission of journal articles. Registration also covers laboratory management and requires effective administration of COSHH and Health and Safety procedures in laboratories and field work both in the UK and overseas.

Research Partnerships

Partnership and collaboration are central to NRI’s strategy and all of our research is carried out with partners in developing countries, the EU, Eastern Europe, or elsewhere in the UK. Our partners include most of the Centres of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), other international organizations, national government and private institutions, international and local NGOs and charities, the private sector, and other universities and research institutes world-wide. NRI is a leading member of the European Consortium for Agricultural Research in the Tropics (ECART), and IPM Europe.

Research Funding

NRI wins all its income competitively and receives no core funding Research funding currently runs at over £5million per year and comes from a range of sources including major development donors such as DFID, the EU, World Bank, UN organizations and the CFC, international charities, UK and other government sources, and the UK Research Councils. In addition to research income of £31M, staff have won an additional £29.1M of non-research income since 2001, mainly for application and use of research results to the benefit of developing countries.

Training and Education

A thriving research programme provides the basis for consultancy and training activities. Since NRI joined the University, over 70 post-graduate students have been registered for research degrees. Research also underpins MSc Programmes in Natural Resources, Food Safety and Quality Mangement, and short courses in specialized areas of agriculture.

Research Quality

NRI’s research is recognized nationally and internationally for its quality and developmental impact.

• A Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education (2000-2004) was received for work on ‘Food Security in the Developing World’.
• A second Queen’s Anniversary Prize (2007-2011) has been received for “TABEISA; a UK/Africa Partnership supporting local business enterprise and tackling root causes of poverty”.
• NRI was a key member of the ‘Vitamin A for Africa’ consortium that was awarded the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) Team Award (2003)
• Research on insecticide resistance in cotton bollworms gave rise to the 2006 ICAR Award for Outstanding Multidisciplinary Team Research. .
• NRI is short-listed for a Times Higher Award in 2007 for Research Project of the Year for its research on tsetse control in Africa.
• NRI staff have made contributions to a background paper for the Commission for Africa (2005), World Development Report 2008, Agriculture Chapter of the Fourth Assessment Report of the Nobel-Prize winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the International Assessment of Agricultural Sciences for Development.