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SEPA and SNH join forces to promote knowledge exchange

EXT01 – D10

Two of Scotland's most prominent environmental bodies are gathering in Battleby near Perth today and tomorrow to discuss and promote current research work, and to develop the scope for future research themes.   

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) are jointly hosting the two day event at SNH Battleby, Redgorton. The first day is primarily aimed at Board, Committee and staff members of the two organisations and will cover past research successes, knowledge transfer between the two bodies and better working practices.

Day two widens the focus to demonstrating the importance of research to both organisations and how this fits into the wider research community, including informing programmes such as Living With Environmental Change (LWEC) and the Coordinated Agenda for Marine, Environment and Rural Affairs Science (CAMERAS). Key speakers will include Andrew Watkinson, Director of LWEC and Ron Stagg from the Scottish Government. Dr Laura Meagher, who has been reviewing SEPA's research programme, will give a presentation on how the programme generates benefits to the organisation and the environment as a whole. She will highlight the case of Fiona Napier, who carried out PhD research on Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) and diffuse pollution and now works at SEPA as a chemist in Aberdeen. Her research work has informed SUDS guidance being developed by SEPA. Several PhD students will speak about on-going work, including a fascinating investigation of how upland habitats in Scotland have changed over the past 50 years (Louise Ross), and a study of 'deadwood' management for insects (Ellen Rotheray).

Dave Gorman, SEPA's Head of Environmental Strategy, said:

"As an organisation established to protect and enhance Scotland's environment, it is essential that SEPA has a sound science and knowledge base to deliver best value to our customers and to inform the development of effective government policies. We need to inform and advise a range of stakeholders, with varied and sometimes conflicting interests, on environmental and human health risks, uncertainties, options and consequences.

"In order to meet these needs, we need to foster a culture of innovation in research and effective knowledge exchange. Both SEPA and SNH manage a vigorous research and development programme, but we also need to improve our engagement with the academic community and learn about new and innovative ideas in order to develop tools and techniques to help assess and predict environmental change, risks and impacts.  This two day conference will give us the opportunity to celebrate past research success, share examples of best practice, and start to develop a future research agenda to ensure we remain at the forefront of environmental research development in order to meet our goal of being an effective environmental regulator."

Des Thompson, Policy and Advice Manager, SNH commented:

"We welcome the chance to discuss our research in Scotland, to help develop our understanding of what is happening to our environment – and why.  With this work, communicated clearly, we can move forward and rise to the challenges ahead.  It is good that the research work is broadening to make the connections between the social and natural sciences, between health and environmental care, and to provide robust evidence base to support our policies and practices."

Ends