Taking Stock of the Links between Research and the Land Professions- A View from a Research Institute

Julie Fitzpatrick

Director of the Moredun Research Institute,Chair in Food Security, University of Glasgow

1st May 2014

Moredun’s History

• Animal Diseases Research Association• 17th March 1920 at the Highland and Agricultural

Society• Professor S.H Gaiger, Glasgow Veterinary College

– Braxy, lamb dysentery, scrapie, louping ill

“My flocks feed not,My ewes breed not, My rams speed not.

All is amiss:What can be the cause of this?”

The Shepherd’s Lament,Richard Barnfield,

16th century

The Moredun Foundation

Mission: “Promoting animal health and welfare through

research and education”

1920

The Moredun Group

Moredun Research Institute

Moredun Scientific Ltd

The Moredun Foundation

Pentlands Science Park

The Moredun Group

Owned and Governed by Farmers and VetsPublic Private Partnership

Cost and Responsibility Sharing

Moredun Scientific

Moredun Research Institute

Large animal accommodation

High security unit, including

small animal containment

BBSRC valuation (2009) -£100m

Moredun Research Institute

Mission: “To lead in livestock health solutions for global food

security”

Moredun Research Institute

Host Environment Pathogen

Livestock Science

Vaccines Diagnostic Tests

DiseaseControl

Programmes

www.moredun.org.uk

Vaccines• Development of vaccines for 11 diseases• Parasites, protozoa, bacteria, viruses• Native protein, recombinant• Mucosal, systemic• Correlates of protection• Adjuvancy, delivery technologies

www.moredun.org.uk

Diagnostics• Sheep scab• Subclinical Johne’s• OPA• Mastitis strains• Food-borne pathogens• Schmallenberg virus

• Surveillance• Serological• PCR/RT-PCR• In vitro hybridisation• MLST• VNTR• Pyrosequencing

www.moredun.org.uk

Disease Control

• Parasitology• Bacteriology• Virology• Epidemiology• Surveillance• Proteomics• Bioinformatics• Genetics

• Reproductive diseases • Respiratory diseases• Skin & mammary

gland diseases• Diseases of the

nervous system• Environment &

waterborne diseases• Diseases of the gut• Parasitic worms

Knowledge Exchange

• The Moredun Foundation• One of Scotland’s largest charities• 12,600 members

• Moredun members (farmers and vets)• AHDA (animal health product

distributors)• NSA/NBA • XLVets; Westpoint

• Two way flow of information and prioritisation of research

targets• Discussion on best methods of KE

• SRUC, QMS, other levy boards, other organisations

Knowledge Exchange

• News-sheets (quarterly)

• Moredun Magazine• Open days• Special events

• Scotsheep, Agri-Scot• Public engagement• Roadshows

• Translation of strategically relevant research into practice

• Outputs, outcomes and impact

• Products – tools and plans

• Ethos is “Prevention is better than cure”

Engaging the Communities

• Moredun Foundation Boards– Regional reps are decision

makers• Regional Boards

– Vets, advisors, farmers, landowners

• Diseases/research that matter to that region

• Specialist speakers– Within or outwith Moredun

• Links with levy boards (i.e. added value)– QMS, Dairy Co, HCC

• Links with national bodies or companies– NFUS– Feed merchants– Abattoirs– CAMERAS (advises on

research priorities)

Knowledge Exchange

• Who is the customer?

• Scientific community• Conferences, peer-reviewed

publications• Data must be robust before being

translated• “End-users” – farmers and vets

• Multiple formats• Continued professional

development accredited• Politicians

• Face to face meetings• Policy makers

• Policy briefs• Science-led policy not policy-led

science• General public

• Demonstrations and debates

• Who conducts the KE?

• Scientists, vets and farmers• Incentives for participation

• Budget allocation• Promotion and bonuses

• Carrot or stick?• It’s not for everyone

• Enthusiasm, dedication, interest• Horses for courses• Don’t put square pegs in round holes

• Vets • 15 (12 active in research and surveillance)• Professional interest, breadth, focus, trusted,

evidence-based• To vet – To subject to thorough examination

or evaluation• To doctor – To tamper with; to falsify

• Measure the impact

WoM3% HCC

5%

Merchant27%

Moredun49%

NFU/FUW3%

Vet5%

Other8%

Who attended?

Yes18%

No82%

Have you been to a previous roadshow event?

RuthinLiver Fluke Control in Sheep and Cattle

Tuesday 12th November 2013Coleg Cambria, Llysfasi

Excellent63%

Good37%

How would you rate the quality of the handouts?

Excellent66%

Good34%

How would you rate the opportunity to ask questions?

Excellent58%

Good42%

How would you rate the format of the event?

Yes100%

Do you feel better informed?

Plus some “open” questions

ENLIGHTENMENT

Public Debates on Food Security – Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee

What Else has Moredun Learned?

• Take the water to the horse– Local events work for

farmers• Don’t make KE presenters

feel exposed– Local vets support scientists

(biologists)• Local vets and advisors get

the “right” people there– Don’t preach only to the

converted (ie Moredun Foundation members)

• Keep messages simple and repeat take home messages at the end of all presentations

• Try different times of day for different audiences

• Avoid major sporting events, especially Rangers v Celtic matches

• Have a free bar....

www.moredun.org.uk

AcknowledgementsMoredun Staff

Scientific and Farming Collaborators – national and international

Scottish Government

QMS, Eblex, BPEX, HCC

Defra

BBSRC

Commercial companies