New Rural Research Institute launched in Gloucestershire

Around 100 rural experts and academics gathered at the University of Gloucestershire's Park Campus to celebrate the inauguration of the Countryside and Community Research Institute (CCRI).

(Photo - Sir Don Curry (Chair, Sustainable Farming and Food Delivery Group and Chair of CCRI Board of Directors); Professor Nigel Curry (Director of CCRI); Stuart Burgess (Chair, Commission for Rural Communities);

Professor Martin Boddy (Deputy to the Executive Dean, Faculty of Environment & Technology. UWE))

The CCRI was born out of a unique partnership between the University of Gloucestershire, the University of the West of England and Hartpury College, a collaboration that brings together a wide range of expertise in rural social and policy research.

During the launch an honorary doctorate was conferred on Stuart Burgess, Chair of the Government's Commission for Rural Communities, and the Government's Advocate for rural people, businesses and communities.

In addition, the CCRI announced a new elite Board of Directors, chaired by Sir Don Curry, Chair of the Sustainable Farming and Food Delivery Group. Sir Don chaired the Policy Commission on the Future of Farming and Food, which reported to the Government following the outbreak of foot and mouth in 2001. The other Board members are Professor Christopher Gaskell, Principal of the Royal Agricultural College at Cirencester and Chair of Defra's Science Advisory Council; Judy Ling Wong, UK Director of Black Environment Network; and Professor Colin Dennis, Director General of the Campden & Chorleywood Food Research Association Group, based in Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire.

CCRI Director, Professor Nigel Curry, said "The appointment of such a prominent Board is a significant achievement. It offers a vast experience in rural and social issues to help support and guide the CCRI to facilitate a centre of excellence in rural research, working for a wide range of organisations in both the private, public and voluntary sectors."

At the launch, Professor Curry presented an inaugural lecture on behalf of the CCRI which

explored the policies for planning in the countryside since the Second World War. During the course of the lecture he demonstrated how the work of the CCRI was influencing rural policy and planning.

The new institute specialises in a wide range of rural research, including topical subjects such as the closure of rural post-offices, the food crisis, rural poverty, farm diversification and the planning system in the countryside.

More information on the work of the CCRI can be found at www.ccri.ac.uk