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Research News and Activity
Inverness College UHI staff are engaged in research in collaboration with other partners in the UHI network and also through external collaboration. Follow the links below to find out more about the College's researchers and events:
Land Use Conference March 2012
UHI students key role in joint RSPB, CNP and UHI Integrated Land Use conference
The University of Highlands and Islands undergraduate and postgraduate students from Forestry, Gamekeeping, Environmental Science, Sustainable Rural Development were the delegates at a conference jointly organised and funded by RSPB Scotland, Cairngorms National Park Authority and UHI. The two day event was held at the Carrbridge Hotel in the heart of the Cairngorms, and focused on the challenging theme of integrated land management. Drawing on the experience of a number of experts from private estates, public sector and NGOs, the students had the opportunity to see the challenges on the ground in a field trip to Seafield Estate in rare March sunshine. This was followed by an evening of discussion and an after dinner presentation from Pete Cairns, internationally renowned, local wildlife photographer. Visually stunning images, conveyed thought provoking messages about our relationship with the natural environment. He set the tone for the following day with a meaningful quote “Keep your mind open when others have already made up their minds”.
The next day saw a morning of formal presentations from professionals across the spectrum of land based management. The key note talk from Pete Mayhew of the RSPB considered a future where an integrated approach to land management is the norm. Following speakers explained their experience and perspectives including gamekeeping, forestry, tourism and wildlife. The students then participated in workshops facilitated by research postgraduates, looking at approaches to integrated land management on an estate in the national park.
The key challenge of integrated land use management is to realise the potential of the land in a sustainable manner to contribute to the economic stability of rural communities along with other rural businesses, which may include gamekeeping, forestry, wildlife tourism and conservation. This approach underpins the Scottish Government Land Use Strategy.
Will Boyd-Wallis, Senior Land Management officer for Cairngorms National Park Authority said:
“It was hugely inspiring to meet students from so many different fields working together to think about future land management. I came away with a great sense of confidence that land managers of the future whether they are foresters, stalkers, keepers or ecologists will have a better understanding of each other.”
The students commented:
“I was uncertain what to expect but I enjoyed it and came away with a very different perspective on some issues. It was a great way to meet students from other disciplines and try to understand their view of the complex issues regarding the management of our wild habitats. To have access to the professionals working in and on the habitats and similar ones was terrific and to be told that some of the ideas that were discussed to be of interest to them really does boost your confidence.”
“I think more events like this should be available. It’s such a great way to meet people and think outside your comfort zone.”
Su Engstrand, UHI Subject Network Leader, Science, Environment and Rural Resource Management said:
“The idea of bringing the land and environment based students together for this event was inspired by the RSPB, and worked on together with the Cairngorms National Park Authority. The students have clearly gained significantly from the experience of working with their peers from other disciplines, with invaluable input from professionals from the land based sectors. On behalf of UHI I would like to express our appreciation, particularly to the RSPB for the significant contribution and hard work in making the conference happen. It is hoped the success of this event will set a precedent for similar conferences in the future”.
Bridget England – Advisor, RSPB Scotland:
“Prior to the conference, we were concerned that it would be difficult to encourage meaningful discussions between students from disciplines that often find themselves in conflict with one another. However, the UHI students proved us wrong. They tackled controversial issues in their working groups with extremely open minds and an impressive degree of respect for each other's opinions. The solutions they presented for their given task were intelligent, well thought through and reflected the viewpoints of all participants. They were a fantastic group of students to work with. The UHI staff should be proud of them. “
Stewart Blair – Uplands Advisory Officer, RSPB Scotland
“This is the first time that such an event has been put together. I think it has been a great success, I think everyone involved, both Students and Staff, will have gained a lot from the event. Event’s such as this help break down perceived barriers and illustrate the common ground shared by all those in Conservation, Hunting, Forestry & Agriculture.”
UHI Centre for Remote and Rural Studies
The Centre for Remote and Rural Studies is based in Academy Lodge at the Midmills Campus of Inverness College UHI. The aim of the Centre is to address the social, economic, environmental and cultural challenges facing remote and rural regions drawing on independent social science research and policy analysis.
The SEAM Centre aims to be an important hub for knowledge and advice on micro-renewable energy and sustainable construction. It is establishing a capability for undertaking applied research in these areas. These projects wil investigate both the technical aspects of renewable energy and sustainable construction as well as some of the social, environmental and economic impacts.
River Carron Restoration Project
The River Carron Restoration Project was formally established in August 2009 but is founded on the long standing work of freshwater fisheries expert, Bob Kindness of Inverness College UHI. Since 1995, Bob has been working on a salmon and sea trout reintroduction programme with the primary aim of increasing wild North Atlantic Salmon and Sea Trout (known as Salmonid) populations in the River Carron, reinstating the river as a viable fishery. Research has also been investigating the reasons for the decline in numbers, whether restocking alone could bring fish back to the river and if this could provide a model for other similarly affected rivers.
Inverness College UHI is working closely with the Agronomy Institute at Orkney College UHI to develop research in natural products. Liz Barron, a Curriculum Manager at the College (Science and Sport) is studying for a part-time PhD investigating the viability of commercially growing Arnica in the Highlands and Islands. A. montana is a herbaceous perennial occurring in the mountainous parts of Europe from Norway to Portugal. In many countries, wild populations of the plant are in serious decline as a result of habitat loss and over-exploitation for medical purposes. As a result, there have been several recent attempts to cultivate A. montana and there is also interest in the possibility of using extracts from A. chamissonis which is a closely related north American species.
Based in the Highlands of Scotland and established in Autumn 2009, the Woodland Research Group was formed to develop research projects covering all aspects of the functioning, management and utilisation of woodlands with a regional focus on the Highlands and Islands.
The group is lead by a partnership of Highland Birchwoods and Inverness College UHI and brings together a wealth of expertise in applied research in woodland ecology, forest management and timber utilisation including specialist expertise in woodfuel, sustainable forestry, woodland palaeoecology and scrub ecology. The Group has an Advisory Panel drawn from public and private sector interests which will drive its strategic and operational direction.
Technical Medical Innovation Partnership
The TMIP has been established with support from Highlands and Islands Enterprise to pilot partnership working between NHS Highland and Inverness College UHI focused on health and medical related engineering and technical innovation. The partnership aims to be self sustaining through income generated from commercialisation of products and external grant funding. See the Project Updates page for the latest on this developing partnership.
Health
Together with other partners in UHI, including Centre for Rural Health, Centre for Mountain Studies and Centre for Interpretation Studies, Inverness College UHI has been part of a research network project set up in June 2009. Aileen Marshall, a reseacher at the College has been the main point of contact and organiser for the network which was funded by ESRC and MRC. The project highlighted several key areas where research is needed in better understanding the links between the outdoors and positive health benefits. As part of the project a short film was produced and this can be viewed on the OHN website. The network that has been established is a firm basis for future research collaborations.
