Science & Research
The Rural Research and Strategy Partnership (RRSP) is a partnership between universities and research establishments in Surrey and the South-East of England. RRSP is focused on ‘Rural Sustainability’ and how rural stakeholders, researchers and policy-makers can work more closely together to achieve this.
Over 80% of the South East’s land area is classified as rural, but the region is also densely populated and is often described as the UK’s economic powerhouse. This paradox creates environmental, social as well as economic challenges and raises the question of how we can maintain and improve rural sustainability alongside the demands of economic progress?
The RRSP can help by bringing researchers, businesses, the public sector and voluntary organisations together in conversations and projects. The RRSP organises knowledge transfer events, such as research workshops to explore what progress might be possible in a specific "hot topic" . The RRSP's Partnership Co-ordinator and our website are available as additional resources to help you identify any research or consultancy expertise you may need and to help you communicate news about your rural sustainability projects, ideas and opportunities.
Details of the RRSP's upcoming events are available from: www.rrsp.org.uk/eventdiary.aspx. These include:
* 1 March 2010 - University of Surrey, in collaboration with Digital Communications KTN
‘Opportunities for the rural community from rural broadband’
* 23 or 26 March 2010 – University of Brighton
‘Outdoor activities and preventative health care’
* 28 April 2010 – University of Sussex
‘What's the Buzz? The impact of bees on land use and the community’
* Summer 2010, tbc - University of Brighton
* ‘Food security and the future of farming’
Further information on the RRSP can be found at www.rrsp.org.uk , along with information on past workshops, which have been run on the following topics:
* Ageing in rural environments: age, work and health
* Zero Carbon Buildings: Opportunities for Rural Living?
* Anaerobic Digestion: Evaluating the potential for Anaerobic Digestion to providing Energy and Soil Amendment
* Opportunities and Barriers to Woodfuel Systems.
Please do get in touch if you feel the RRSP may be able to help you. We are keen to hear from organisations and individuals about your ideas and projects, especially if you would like to find out more about the research capabilities available in the South East region to assist you. Contact e e-mail: info@rrsp.org.uk .