The James Hutton Institute is an interdisciplinary scientific research institute in Scotland established in 2011, through the merger of Scottish Crop Research Institute (SCRI) and the Macaulay Land Use Research Institute. The institute, named after Scottish geologist James Hutton, one of the leading figures of the Scottish Enlightenment, combines existing Scottish expertise in agricultural research, soils and land use, and works in fields including food and energy security, biodiversity, and climate change. With more than 600 employees, the institute is among the largest research centres in the UK.[1] It is a registered charity under Scottish law.[2]
 | |
| Predecessor | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1 April 2011 |
| Headquarters | Dundee, Scotland |
Number of locations | 2; Aberdeen and Dundee |
Key people | Professor Colin Campbell, Chief Executive
Professor Deb Roberts, Deputy Chief Executive and Executive Director of Science Alasdair Cox, Director of Operations Professor Lesley Torrance, Director of Science Hugh Darby, Director of Finance and Company Secretary |
| Subsidiaries | |
| Website | www |
The institute has its main offices in Aberdeen and Dundee with farms and field research stations at Glensaugh and Balruddery.[3] The Dundee site also hosts the Plant Sciences department of the University of Dundee.[4]
The James Hutton Institute also formally contains Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland (BioSS) which has staff based in Edinburgh, Dundee, Aberdeen and Ayr. BioSS undertakes research, consultancy and training in mathematics and statistics as applied to agriculture, the environment, food and health.[5] Strategic oversight of the development of BioSS is provided by a Strategic Planning Group composed of senior representatives from BioSS' principal stakeholders.[6]
BioSS and the James Hutton Institute are two of a family of six organisations termed the Main Research Providers for the Scottish Government Rural and Environment Research and Analytical Services Division (RESAS).[7]
In 2012, the institute announced that it was formally joining the Natural Capital Initiative, a leading UK partnership that brings together policymakers, scientists, business, industry to find the most effective ways safeguard important ecosystems and natural capital.[8]
Projects led by the institute to establish an International Barley Hub and an Advanced Plant Growth Centre in Dundee have been supported through the Tay Cities Deal with a £62m investment.[9]
References
edit- ^ "New centre to honour 'father of geology'". The Scotsman. 9 November 2010. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
- ^ "The James Hutton Institute, Registered Charity no. SC041796". Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator.
- ^ "FAQs". Hutton.ac.uk. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
- ^ School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee. "Plant Sciences". LifeSci.Dundee.ac.uk. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
- ^ "BioSS: Home Page". BioSS.ac.uk. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
- ^ Biomathematics & Statistics Scotland. "Corporate Plan 2012-2016" (PDF). BioSS.ac.uk. Biomathematics & Statistics Scotland. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
- ^ The Scottish Government. "Rural Affairs, Food and the Environment - Main Research Providers". Gov.Scot. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
- ^ "James Hutton Institute joins the Natural Capital Initiative". Hutton.ac.uk. 17 October 2012. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
- ^ "Tay Cities Deal: James Hutton Institute hails £62 million investment as 'huge vote of confidence' for region". thecourier.co.uk. 23 November 2018.