between Research and the Land Professions - A View from a Research Institute Julie Fitzpatrick Director of the Moredun Research Institute, Chair in Food Security, University of Glasgow 1 st May 2014
Jan 03, 2016
Taking Stock of the Links between Research and the Land Professions- A View from a Research Institute
Julie Fitzpatrick
Director of the Moredun Research Institute,Chair in Food Security, University of Glasgow
1st May 2014
Moredun’s History
• Animal Diseases Research Association• 17th March 1920 at the Highland and Agricultural
Society• Professor S.H Gaiger, Glasgow Veterinary College
– Braxy, lamb dysentery, scrapie, louping ill
“My flocks feed not,My ewes breed not, My rams speed not.
All is amiss:What can be the cause of this?”
The Shepherd’s Lament,Richard Barnfield,
16th century
The Moredun Foundation
Mission: “Promoting animal health and welfare through
research and education”
1920
The Moredun Group
Moredun Research Institute
Moredun Scientific Ltd
The Moredun Foundation
Pentlands Science Park
The Moredun Group
Owned and Governed by Farmers and VetsPublic Private Partnership
Cost and Responsibility Sharing
Moredun Scientific
Moredun Research Institute
Large animal accommodation
High security unit, including
small animal containment
BBSRC valuation (2009) -£100m
Moredun Research Institute
Mission: “To lead in livestock health solutions for global food
security”
Moredun Research Institute
Host Environment Pathogen
Livestock Science
Vaccines Diagnostic Tests
DiseaseControl
Programmes
www.moredun.org.uk
Vaccines• Development of vaccines for 11 diseases• Parasites, protozoa, bacteria, viruses• Native protein, recombinant• Mucosal, systemic• Correlates of protection• Adjuvancy, delivery technologies
www.moredun.org.uk
Diagnostics
• Sheep scab• Subclinical Johne’s• OPA• Mastitis strains• Food-borne pathogens• Schmallenberg virus
• Surveillance• Serological• PCR/RT-PCR• In vitro hybridisation• MLST• VNTR• Pyrosequencing
www.moredun.org.uk
Disease Control
• Parasitology• Bacteriology• Virology• Epidemiology• Surveillance• Proteomics• Bioinformatics• Genetics
• Reproductive diseases • Respiratory diseases• Skin & mammary
gland diseases• Diseases of the
nervous system• Environment &
waterborne diseases• Diseases of the gut• Parasitic worms
Knowledge Exchange
• The Moredun Foundation• One of Scotland’s largest
charities• 12,600 members
• Moredun members (farmers and vets)• AHDA (animal health product
distributors)• NSA/NBA • XLVets; Westpoint
• Two way flow of information
and prioritisation of research targets
• Discussion on best methods of
KE• SRUC, QMS, other levy
boards, other organisations
Knowledge Exchange
• News-sheets (quarterly)
• Moredun Magazine• Open days• Special events
• Scotsheep, Agri-Scot
• Public engagement• Roadshows
• Translation of strategically relevant research into practice
• Outputs, outcomes and impact
• Products – tools and plans
• Ethos is “Prevention is better than cure”
Engaging the Communities
• Moredun Foundation Boards– Regional reps are decision
makers• Regional Boards
– Vets, advisors, farmers, landowners
• Diseases/research that matter to that region
• Specialist speakers– Within or outwith Moredun
• Links with levy boards (i.e. added value)– QMS, Dairy Co, HCC
• Links with national bodies or companies– NFUS– Feed merchants– Abattoirs– CAMERAS (advises on
research priorities)
Knowledge Exchange
• Who is the customer?
• Scientific community• Conferences, peer-reviewed
publications• Data must be robust before being
translated
• “End-users” – farmers and vets• Multiple formats• Continued professional
development accredited• Politicians
• Face to face meetings• Policy makers
• Policy briefs• Science-led policy not policy-led
science• General public
• Demonstrations and debates
• Who conducts the KE?
• Scientists, vets and farmers• Incentives for participation
• Budget allocation• Promotion and bonuses
• Carrot or stick?
• It’s not for everyone• Enthusiasm, dedication, interest
• Horses for courses• Don’t put square pegs in round holes
• Vets • 15 (12 active in research and surveillance)• Professional interest, breadth, focus, trusted,
evidence-based• To vet – To subject to thorough examination
or evaluation• To doctor – To tamper with; to falsify
• Measure the impact
WoM3% HCC
5%
Merchant27%
Moredun49%
NFU/FUW3%
Vet5%
Other8%
Who attended?
Yes18%
No82%
Have you been to a previous roadshow event?
RuthinLiver Fluke Control in Sheep and Cattle
Tuesday 12th November 2013Coleg Cambria, Llysfasi
Excellent63%
Good37%
How would you rate the quality of the handouts?
Excellent66%
Good34%
How would you rate the opportunity to ask questions?
Excellent58%
Good42%
How would you rate the format of the event?
Yes100%
Do you feel better informed?
Plus some “open” questions
ENLIGHTENMENT
Public Debates on Food Security – Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee
What Else has Moredun Learned?
• Take the water to the horse– Local events work for
farmers• Don’t make KE presenters
feel exposed– Local vets support scientists
(biologists)• Local vets and advisors get
the “right” people there– Don’t preach only to the
converted (ie Moredun Foundation members)
• Keep messages simple and repeat take home messages at the end of all presentations
• Try different times of day for different audiences
• Avoid major sporting events, especially Rangers v Celtic matches
• Have a free bar....
www.moredun.org.uk
AcknowledgementsMoredun Staff
Scientific and Farming Collaborators – national and international
Scottish Government
QMS, Eblex, BPEX, HCC
Defra
BBSRC
Commercial companies