BBC programme “Working Lunch” is to feature the Macaulay Institute as part of a special week of programmes featuring Aberdeen businesses.

The report, to be screened on the popular daytime programme on Tuesday 24th April, will highlight the Institute’s successes in turning its research into sought-after commercial services, which last year brought in over ?1.5 million worth of business to the Institute.

Working Lunch provides a popular perspective on business, personal finance and consumer news, and is broadcast on weekday lunchtimes on BBC 2 at 12.30.

Macaulay Institute Chief Executive, Professor Richard Aspinall said: “We are delighted to invite “Working Lunch” into the Macaulay Institute to film. This is a great opportunity to promote the work undertaken at the Macaulay Institute and to demonstrate its relevance and benefits to society as a whole.”

The BBC show will feature how the Institute is applying its world-leading scientific expertise to new ventures, and tailoring them for both commercial clients and public services. These include using soil as evidence in forensic investigations, the use of their Virtual Landscape Theatre in engaging the public over planning proposals, and their fast soil-testing service for gardeners.

Macaulay scientist Dr Lorna Dawson will offer an insight into how police and scientists are working together to fight crime by using the latest scientific techniques to forensically analyse soil.

Lorna comments: “Because of the complex nature of soil composition, it can provide a precise link between an item of evidence and a scene of crime. Information gained can be used to reduce the area of search of a crime scene, help locate the graves of murder victims, or uncover buried items of evidence.”

Fellow soil scientist, Jason Owen will talk about the success of the first year of opening the Institute’s world famous soil laboratories to the public. The popular service – which has also featured on the BBC’s Beechgrove Garden – provides gardeners with information on the condition of their soil and how to improve it.

Jason says: “Anyone can use the service and by logging onto MacaulaySoils.com they can order a test kit. Once it arrives, they can use the freepost envelope to send us a sample of their soil and we will have the easy to understand report back to them within 10 days. It really is as simple as that.”

Professor David Miller will demonstrate how virtual reality is being used to engage with local communities over proposed planning developments.

Professor Miller explains: “A common public perception of the planning process is the feeling of being powerless. The Institute’s Virtual Landscape Theatre provides a forum for people to exchange their opinions on the impacts of future changes.”

The mobile theatre brings the future to life using virtual reality versions of real planning proposals – and the proposed Aberdeen Offshore Windfarm will feature on the programme.

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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