Ukraine research links in food and farming win funding

The University of Reading has secured funding as part of the UK-Ukraine R&I Twinning Grants Scheme to help support Ukrainian research and innovation in the fields of rural development, food and agriculture.

The proposal was put forward by the University’s School of Agriculture, Policy and Development (SAPD) and the Global Partnerships Office. It follows the re-establishment of a previously held connection between SAPD and the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine (NuBiP), in Kyiv.

Working in partnership, the two universities will use the funding to:

• deliver two research workshops in Poland for Reading and NuBiP colleagues
• develop an online platform where students and staff from both universities can share their research and resources, and host joint seminars
• deliver online training for research staff at NuBiP
• develop joint research projects in areas of mutual interest.

Dr Sarah Cardey, academic lead in the School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, said: “We are proud to collaborate with our Ukrainian colleagues at an institution that shares our values on agriculture, food security, and community development.

“This partnership will help build capacity for Ukrainian researchers to adapt after the war finishes. The economic and physical damage done during the conflict means that the agriculture and rural development sectors will need to change.

“There have also been transitions in Ukrainian higher education, where universities are looking to engage more with international academic research. This project will enable NuBIP to do that, as well as helping the country better prepare for its future.”

The UK-Ukraine R&I Twinning Grants Scheme is funded by Research England, with the money being awarded through Universities UK International (UUKi). The University of Reading is one of 33 UK universities to be awarded funding.