Natural Resources Institute

New report overview from @fao.org, #AWARD & @nrinstitute.bsky.social reveals deep gender inequalities in sub-Saharan Africa’s agrifood systems, despite women making up 49% of the workforce.

Full report coming later this year.
Read the overview: openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.50... #FoodSystems

Engineered yeast provides rare but essential pollen sterols for honeybees - Nature Genetic engineering of a yeast strain provides rare but essential pollen sterols for honeybee colonies.

This bee “superfood” could be available within 2 years – supporting pollinators, biodiversity and global food security. #BeeHealth #Pollinators #FoodSecurity

Read the published paper from @nature.com
www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Stronger honeybee colonies mean better pollination for crops like apples, cherries & almonds – and less pressure on wild pollinators. 🌍🌼

Researchers identified 6 sterols crucial for bee health. Using CRISPR, they engineered a food-safe yeast supplement that delivers the perfect mix.

Result: colonies reared 15x more larvae in trials compared to sterol-deficient diets.

Honeybees rely on sterols from pollen to grow and reproduce.

But climate change + intensive farming are reducing floral diversity. Pollen substitutes often miss these vital nutrients.

BREAKTHROUGH: Scientists have developed a bee “superfood” that could boost colony health and protect pollinators.

NRI’s Prof. Phil Stevenson was a co-author on this major study.
nri.org/latest/news/...

🐿️ NRI is contributing to the UK’s national effort on squirrel conservation – linking biodiversity, invasive species, and rural livelihoods.

Read more: nri.org/latest/news/...

#Conservation #Biodiversity #NRIImpact

Nicky Campbell - Water: time to pay up? - BBC Sounds Water: time to pay up?

Dr Conor Walsh (University of Greenwich) joins BBC Sounds to discuss climate resilience and the challenges facing UK water systems.
📍 His segment begins ~1h25m in
🎙️ Listen: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
#ClimateResilience #WaterResources #BBCSounds

Feeding with purpose: Anna Haugh on sustainability and change From left to right: Professor Nazanin Zand, Professor Peter Griffiths, Anna Haugh, Professor Sheryl Hendriks, and Professor Andrew Westby When chef and broadca

At NRI, we had the pleasure of sitting down with renowned chef Anna Haugh to talk about what it really means to cook sustainably – and why it matters more than ever.

www.nri.org/latest/news/...

#Sustainability #FoodWaste #StudyatNRI #ZeroWaste

The webinar hosted by the GEF-FARM programme will explore effective strategies to address agricultural plastics, focusing on prevention, recyclability, regulation, and waste management.

The extensive use of plastics has led to significant soil pollution, altering its structure, bulk density, and water-holding capacity. Alarmingly, only a small fraction of agricultural plastics is collected and recycled - most are burned, buried or sent to landfills.

Explore effective strategies to address agricultural plastics.

Webinar: Tackling Agricultural Plastics for a Circular Future
17 June 2025 at 14:00 CEST
Languages: English, Spanish

Register today: www.greenpolicyplatform.org/webinar/tack...

Second edition of Sunbirds of the World by NRI’s Professor Robert Cheke to be published on 12 June The Natural Resources Institute (NRI) is proud to announce the forthcoming publication of the second edition of Sunbirds of the World: Sunbirds, Flowerpeckers,

Coming 12 June: The 2nd edition of 'Sunbirds of the World' by NRI’s Prof. Robert Cheke!
A stunning update offering expanded content, updated taxonomy, and a continued celebration of these striking nectar-feeding birds.

www.nri.org/latest/news/...

#Ornithology #Sunbirds #Biodiversity

🎓 Want to lead on climate and sustainability?

Our MSc programmes at NRI empower students with the skills to tackle today’s most urgent environmental challenges—from food systems to climate resilience.

Start your journey: www.nri.org/study/postgr...

#WorldEnvironmentDay #MSc #PhD

🌍 On #WorldEnvironmentDay, we’re celebrating the bold research driving environmental sustainability at NRI.

From improving agricultural sustainability to shaping biodiversity policy, discover how we’re shaping practical, science-based solutions: www.nri.org/latest/news/...

We are excited to share research from our NRI colleague Vegard Iversen and collaborators, published in a new study examining politician quality in West Bengal, India – where stereotypes often overshadow evidence.

Read the article here: doi.org/10.1017/S000...

#NRIResearch #DevelopmentResearch

image of a bee approaching a pink flower

Pollinators support biodiversity, ecosystems & our food supply. Today, we spotlight our work to protect them & ensure their survival.

Learn more: www.nri.org/latest/news/...

#WorldBeeDay #SavetheBees

Advanced micro lab at UFS

Clarens, South Africa

At the Genomic sequencing lab at UFS

OHRatSA project inception

OHRatSA: new research tackling rodent problems in South African townships
NRI's Prof Belmain & Dr Thompson visited with collaborators in a new project. Research will explore new methods of rodent control that is safer and more humane, health risks to people, and ways to reduce food contamination.

YouTube video by Natural Resources Institute MSc Global Sustainable Development

🌍 Want to lead change in sustainability?
Our MSc Global Sustainable Development empowers students to shape a better future.

✅ Join our #VirtualOpenDay to learn how: www.gre.ac.uk/events/upcom...

📅 28 May 2025
#PostgraduateStudy #FutureLeaders #StudyatNRI

youtu.be/b8tbj1ZQFVY?...

NRI’s Delia Grace explores how human-induced disturbances impact disease outbreaks in the latest 'Voices' issue by @cellpress.bsky.social. She warns of a looming disease exchange driven by wildlife farming and trade 🦇🐀🐗.

Read more: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

An image of the earth from space with 'Earth Day 2025' '#EarthDay' '#EarthDay2025' on the side.

#EarthDay is a reminder of our shared duty to protect and restore our home.🌍

From addressing the biodiversity crisis to developing innovative alternative proteins, find out how we're working to protect our planet ⤵️
www.nri.org/latest/news/...

#EarthDay2025

dynamicSDM: An R package for species geographical distribution and abundance modelling at high spatiotemporal resolution Species distribution models (SDM) are widely applied to understand changing species geographical distribution and abundance patterns. However, existing SDM tools are inherently static and inadequa...

🎉 Big congrats to Dr Robert Cheke!
His paper on dynamicSDM was among the top 10% most-viewed in Methods in Ecology and Evolution (2023).

A proud moment for @nrinstitute.bsky.social !

besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
#TopViewedArticle #Ecology #NRIResearch

The Natural Resources Institute was proud to have been involved with this years Social Enterprise Kent's Young Cooks competition, showcasing exceptional culinary talent among young individuals!

An image of a wheat field is to the right. On the left, against a beige backdrop, the text says, 'Regenerative agriculture, does it work for farmers and nature? New BES report looks at the evidence'

Is #RegenerativeAgriculture the solution to delivering for both food and nature?

A new report by the British Ecological Society brings together 40 academics, practitioners and farmers across the UK to explore the evidence. 👇

https://shorturl.at/s9TM4

Here’s a glimpse of #NRI students mastering fundamental lab techniques – the building blocks of scientific discovery! From precise measurements to careful observations, these essential skills lay the foundation for future breakthroughs.

📸 See our students in action!

#STEMEducation

Master the art of food safety and quality management! #StudyatNRI

Our MSc in Applied Food Safety and Quality Management offers a comprehensive approach, ensuring safe and high-quality food for consumers.

#FoodSafety #MSc

www.nri.org/study/postgr...

Image of a rat

🐀Is London’s rat population truly rising, or is perception distorting reality?

Professor Steven Belmain, rodent expert at NRI, cautions that there is no solid research confirming an increase.

Read more: www.londoncentric.media/i/158841793/...

#RodentResearch #PestManagement

🌱 Learn how global environmental changes impact local communities. Our MSc programme prepares you to address the climate crisis on all fronts.

#GlobalEnvironmentalChange #ClimateCrisis #GreenCareers #StudyatNRI

www.nri.org/study/postgr...

YouTube video by University of Greenwich Presenting the Natural Resources Institute | University of Greenwich

NRI's work has had a large impact, nationally and globally, in the areas of agriculture, environment, food and nutrition.

Hear from the Director of NRI as she gives an overview of some of this work.

youtu.be/qf46mEdYlcg?...

Two researchers examining a component of the machine within the Medway Food Innovation Centre.

Have you heard of the Medway Food Innovation Centre (MFIC)?

MFIC provides food industries with the first port of call to help with the research needs/technical issues across food processes, products & packaging.

Pictured: Insent TS-6000A also known as an ‘electronic tongue.’