Enhancing agricultural research through collaboration

Agriculture is at a crossroads. As a cornerstone of our global food system, it feeds billions—but at the same time, it is a major driver of biodiversity loss and greenhouse gas emissions. The industry’s reliance on high-input farming and simplified production systems leaves it highly vulnerable to environmental and economic shocks. If we want a sustainable and resilient future, we need more than just incremental improvements—we need a fundamental shift in how agricultural research connects with real-world solutions.

That’s where the Agricultural Resilience Impact and Innovation Hub (AGRIIH) comes in.

AGRIIH is a new initiative designed to supercharge the real-world impact of Oxford’s agricultural research by fostering collaboration between academia, industry, and key stakeholders. Instead of research happening in isolation, the Hub will co-develop cutting-edge, industry-relevant solutions that actively support the transformation of agriculture towards sustainability and resilience. The project is directed by Dr Jen Lucey, Deputy Director of the Nature-based Solutions Initiative specialising in transforming agricultural landscapes to support biodiverse and resilient ecosystems (Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment, SoGE), and supported by colleagues across the University including Prof Monika Zurek, the Food Systems Programme Lead at the ECI. Jing Zhang is based at Department of Biology, while also working as a researcher in the Food Systems Transformation group, as part of the BeanMeals and Co-centre for Sustainable Food Systems.

At its core, AGRIIH is an interdepartmental collaboration that draws on expertise across multiple divisions, including but not limited to the Department of Biology, the School of Geography and the Environment, and the Oxford Martin School. This collaborative approach ensures that the Hub can tackle complex challenges by integrating knowledge from plant science, social sciences, ecology, food systems and business. It also strengthens Oxford’s capacity to develop actionable, interdisciplinary research that is embedded in real-world agricultural contexts.
Why does AGRIIH matter?

Agriculture today faces mounting challenges: climate change, soil degradation, water scarcity, and economic instability, to name a few. Traditional research approaches—often siloed within specific disciplines—struggle to address these complex, interconnected issues. What we need is a holistic, solutions-driven approach that brings together expertise across plant science, climate and ecology, business, economics, and social sciences.

Oxford already has a thriving ecosystem of world-leading research, but there has often been a gap between scientific innovation and practical implementation. AGRIIH aims to bridge that gap by working hand-in-hand with farmers, industry leaders, policymakers, and communities to develop scalable, actionable innovations that harness technology, people, and nature.

AGRIIH will serve as a catalyst for interdisciplinary collaboration, breaking down barriers between research fields and ensuring that innovations don’t just stay in the lab but make a real difference on the ground. The Hub will:

• Align research with industry needs—mapping out Oxford’s research strengths and how they can best serve the agricultural sector.
• Host workshops and events—bringing together researchers, industry experts, and stakeholders to generate fresh ideas and collaborations.
• Create a strong feedback loop—ensuring that research is guided by real-world challenges and that solutions are practical and impactful.
• Support funding and innovation—actively identifying funding opportunities and fostering partnerships that can scale up transformative agricultural solutions.

Supported by the Strategic Innovation Fund, AGRIIH is just getting started—but the momentum is already building. Over the coming months, the Hub will roll out key activities, engage with stakeholders, and kickstart collaborations that will shape the future of resilient agriculture.

If you’re interested in learning more, getting involved, or partnering with AGRIIH, stay tuned for updates—we’re just at the beginning of this exciting journey!

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Explore the AGRIIH project page and website.