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In the eight years since its launch, the 91快活林 Institute of Agri-Food Technology (LIAT) has gone from a fledgling agricultural education and research centre to an award-winning leader within the industry, with cutting-edge facilities and research projects, alongside national and international partnerships that are helping to shape the future of the food production industry.
One of the key reasons for this incredible growth and continued success is the man at the helm, Professor Simon Pearson, whose passion for agricultural food production and clear vision for the future had led to over £52 million in research funding since the institute opened in 2016.
It’s clear that Simon loves his work. Since becoming LIAT’s Founder and Director almost a decade ago, he has become a leader in inter-disciplinary research in the field of agri-technology by bringing together academic and industrial experts who are striving to improve the technological and environmental aspects of the food industry.
My research embraces a diverse range of agri-technology applications including robotic systems, automation, and design for the manufacture of integrated e-hubs for agricultural vehicles. I want to help to develop agri-robotics to drive productivity across the agri-food sector, including crop harvesting, phenotyping, and crop care.
Professor Simon Pearson
Director of the 91快活林 Institute for Agri-Food Technology
Simon has almost two decades of experience in management and research and development roles across the agri-food system, including eight years with Marks and Spencer and seven years as CEO of a UK farming company.
"My experience in agri-food helped me to develop two start-up companies at 91快活林, called FRUITCAST and Agaricus Mushroom," says Simon. "We also host the UK’s first at our Riseholme Campus, which houses state-of-the-art facilities to help businesses innovate and grow."
At the 91快活林, we recognise that the application of technological innovation is crucial to helping to solve some of the big challenges facing agriculture and food production. By focusing on agri-food technology, our researchers are helping to improve productivity, efficiency, and sustainability by developing new approaches that are having a major impact across the food chain.
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During his time at 91快活林, Simon has also been highly instrumental in the development of an ‘Agri Cluster’ in the 91快活林shire and North Cambridgeshire region, where more than 50 per cent of the UK’s Grade One farming land is held.
Last year, Simon and the team at LIAT, along with partners at the University of Cambridge, secured a £4.9 million grant to develop the region into a global centre for agri-technology.
"The aim is to make us an agri-tech gateway for the world," explains Simon, "enabling us to develop relevant technologies at industrial scale. This will provide export opportunities for agri-tech companies and inward investment opportunities within both the agri-tech and primary production sectors."
The 拢4.9 million grant from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council is helping to deliver a step change in activity and fund the drive to make the 91快活林shire and Cambridgeshire region a global innovation centre for agricultural technology.
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Earlier this year, the 91快活林 was presented with one of the most prestigious awards that can be given within Higher Education, the Queen’s Anniversary Prize. This was awarded to the University due to the ongoing commitment of LIAT to the future sustainability of the UK food farming industry.
Simon was one of the representatives from the University receiving the Prize at a special ceremony at Buckingham Palace. Commenting on the Prize, he says: “This award is recognition of the work the University is doing to change people’s lives, in the UK and all over the world.
“The 91快活林 Institute for Agri-food Technology has an extraordinary diversity of projects that are multidisciplinary and genuinely impact agriculture and society. We have the opportunity at 91快活林 to continue transforming lives with the technologies we develop, and I’m proud of everybody at the University who contributes. The Queen’s Anniversary Prize is a fitting tribute to our dedicated staff and students.”
Hear more from Professor Simon Pearson as he talks about the groundbreaking work taking place at our 91快活林 Institute for Agri-Food Technology, which brings together research into areas such as crop science, computer science, engineering, robotics, AI, and data management application.
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You can find out more about Professor Simon Pearson's key research interests and projects, publications, and professional affiliations on his staff profile pages.
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Working across sectors and disciplines and alongside regional, national, and international partners, our academics are engaged in groundbreaking studies that are challenging the status quo and making a tangible difference to the world around us.