Research collaborations
Research collaborations are at the heart of the Hutton Scientific Services mission to address global challenges in food security, climate change, and sustainable development.
By working with partners across academia, industry, and government, we combine our expertise with diverse perspectives to deliver impactful, innovative solutions. Explore how we can work together to achieve shared goals and make a lasting impact through collaboration and innovation.
Agri Tech
At the James Hutton Institute, our Agri-Tech innovations are transforming the future of agriculture.
Leveraging the latest advancements in robotics, drones, sensors, and gene editing, we deliver precision solutions to the challenges facing modern farming. Our expertise empowers farmers, researchers, and industry leaders to navigate the complexities of food production in an ever-changing world.
Regenerative agriculture
We are at the forefront of regenerative agriculture, developing innovative approaches that enhance soil health, boost biodiversity, and ensure sustainable food production.
Our expertise spans intercropping systems that improve resource efficiency, climate-positive farming techniques that reduce emissions and increase carbon sequestration, and ground breaking research through the Centre for Sustainable Cropping.
Catchments and water
We tackle critical challenges in water and catchment management through cutting-edge research and expertise.
As leaders of The Centre of Expertise for Waters (CREW), we provide science-driven insights to inform water policy and management strategies across Scotland. Our pioneering research on drought and flood dynamics addresses the growing impacts of climate change, helping to mitigate risks and enhance resilience in water systems. From safeguarding water quality to managing extreme weather events, our work supports sustainable solutions.
Big data – analysis and visualisation
In collaboration with Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland (BioSS), we provide expert support in statistical modelling, machine learning, and data integration, ensuring precision and clarity in tackling complex research questions.
Our Bioinformatics research further enhances our capacity to decode large-scale biological data, from genomics to ecosystem dynamics, unlocking new insights into sustainability, biodiversity, and global food security. Through cutting-edge tools and interdisciplinary expertise, we make data accessible, meaningful, and impactful for a wide range of scientific challenges.
Climate change, adaption and mitigation
We are at the forefront of research to address the pressing challenges of climate change. Our work focuses on developing innovative strategies for adaptation and mitigation, leveraging the power of natural systems to create sustainable solutions.
Peat and soil research is central to our efforts, as these vital ecosystems provide natural solutions for carbon storage, water regulation, and enhancing resilience to climate impacts. Our approach also incorporates Nature-based Solutions (NbS), which harness natural processes to tackle major challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and water security.
Community engagement and rural development
We are dedicated to fostering sustainable connections between people, land, and the environment. By integrating social science, environmental science, and advanced analytical methods, we deliver practical, evidence-based outcomes that support both policy development and grassroots initiatives.
Through our work, we aim to build resilient, inclusive relationships that benefit both people and the landscapes they depend on. Our commitment is further enhanced by the Just Transition Hub, a state-of-the-art virtual and physical collaborative facility based at our Craigiebuckler campus.
Green hydrogen and renewables
We are driving innovation in renewable energy and green hydrogen to support Scotland’s transition to a low-carbon future.
A flagship project in this area is HydroGlen, a £6.2 million green hydrogen-powered farming community pilot project in northeast Scotland, funded by the Scottish Government’s Just Transition Fund in 2022. HydroGlen provides a scalable and replicable model for integrating green hydrogen into farming and rural communities, showcasing the potential for sustainable energy to transform rural economies.
Land Use & Natural Capital
We are leaders in sustainable land use and natural capital research, delivering insights and solutions that balance environmental, economic, and societal needs.
The International Land Use Study Centre (ILUSC) is central to our efforts, providing a global platform for interdisciplinary research, knowledge exchange, and capacity building. Our research explores innovative approaches to land management, assessing the value of natural capital while developing strategies that enhance biodiversity, mitigate climate impacts, and support rural livelihoods.
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