The Macaulay Institute will host a group of key researchers from the fields of environmental and rural resource research on 19th March, to mark the launch of a new publication, ABSORB. The publication summarises socio economic research conducted by staff at the Macaulay Institute, the Scottish Agricultural College and includes research commissioned by the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department.

Wendy Kenyon, Senior Research Fellow for the Macaulay Institute comments: “The ABSORB publication is the first of its kind to bring together the key findings of researchers from these prominent organisations. Through creating a collaborative document, we aim to enhance and strengthen the understanding by the wider scientific and policy community, of some of the socio-economic research being conducted in Scotland.

This, the first issue of ABSORB, will focus on the themes of “participation” and “land-based industries” specifically looking at the socio economic research which has been carried out in these areas. The participation section provides an overview of the theory and practice behind and the value of enhancing public involvement in research, whilst the land based industries section of the publication looks at findings in areas such as dairy farming, agriculture and forestry.

“Encouraging discussion and co-ordination between researchers from within like minded organisations, is an extremely positive aspect of what the ABSORB publication strives towards. Equally this is something which we will be aiming to develop during the launch event which provides the ideal opportunity to bring together principal researchers to meet and discuss their research and research requirements and benefit from a sharing of knowledge.”

Speakers at the launch event will include representatives from the Scottish Agricultural College and the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department, alongside members of the Macaulay Institute.

Wendy continues: “The main purpose of the event will be to look at the connection between research and policy, and examine how we can improve communication between these two sectors. Through the use of presentations and workshop sessions the event will provide explore how we can promote better communications and understanding between researchers and policy makers and investigate how this can be of mutual benefit to both groups.”

The Macaulay Institute is the premier land use research institute in the UK. Two hundred and seventy staff are based at the Macaulay Institute at Craigiebuckler in Aberdeen. The Macaulay Institute aims to be an international leader in research on the use of rural land resources for the benefit of people and the environment and is involved in research across the globe; from Scotland to Chile and China. More about the Macaulay Institute can be found at www.macaulay.ac.uk

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