Design Sprint – What the Scholars thought

DESIGN SPRINT

WHAT THE SCHOLARS THOUGHT

With a mix of disciplines, gender, nationalities and viewpoints, the four phases of the Design Sprint generated lively debate, heated discussions and serious exchanges. But the Scholars also massively enjoyed meeting their new group workers, sharing stories and making new friends.

The noise of the group’s voices and the cloud of post-it note activity clearly demonstrated the enthusiasm and gusto with which the Scholars attacked the challenges they were given. They transformed the John Innes Conference Centre and Centrum into a hothouse of ideas as they progressed through each phase towards their final recommendations.

Bushra Abu-Helil, Zoologist, Quadram Institute

“I’ve done similar things before but not a Design Sprint. I am really enjoying the conversations and different views people are coming up with. The process enables everybody to engage in the debate.” James McCartney, Scholar, Sheep and beef farmer, Leicestershire

“This is really interesting for me as it is my question that has been selected. Some views I know will be the antithesis of mine but I want to be taken out of my comfort zone to hear other views and so far it’s been really constructive.” Claire Whittle, Scholar, Farm vet, Wales/Shropshire

“I’ve not done something like this before. It’s interesting where our conversations have gone as we started off with adopting meat-free days and now we are on to community composting, thinking that is better to stop wasting food than having a meat-free Monday. In my job I am used to making instant decisions and I don’t often have the time to think problems over with other opinions. I would definitely like to do this more often.

Marjin Vermulen, Scholar, Farmers’ Union, Manager of Member Affairs, Netherlands

“It’s difficult to get out of your own specialisms but coming to an event like this really does help you to get a new perspective. We have had very constructive conversations and have reached agreement on what the problem is but I suspect we might have some disagreements on what the solutions might be!” Sanu Arora, Researcher (peas and legumes), John Innes Centre

“I am really excited about this. I have been impressed by the preparation that the Scholars have done, they have read about this subject and have come armed with their own thoughts. We are enjoying the challenge that the questions have set us.” Seanna McTaggart, Researcher Symbiodiversity, Earlham Institute

“I have never been involved in a process like this before. It is very interesting, especially hearing diverse views. What I like is the equality of contribution that is being made. I think it is going to be a challenge to get everything into one idea. I do like the interaction we are able to have with farmers and how we find common ground.”

DESIGN SPRINT PRESENTATIONS

After an exhausting afternoon completing the Deliver phase of the Design Sprint all the scholars reassembled in the auditorium to share their presentations.

GROUPS 1&2

Norwich Research Park scientists:

John McDonagh, Associate Professor, School of International development, Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research Sophie Johnson, PhD student, The Sainsbury Laboratory Matt Heaton, Research Associate, John Innes Centre/UEA

Scholars:

Oliver Chedgey Max Edgley Colette Glazik Aisla Jones Jade King Thomas Merwin Andrew Rolfe Christopher Taylor Sam Keenor Olivia Champion Stéphane Cusset Agnès Delefortrie Keith Gue Sandra Roberts Renato Rodrigues Ana Carolina Zimmermann

THE CHALLENGE OUR PROPOSAL

By 2050, we have achieved net zero carbon agriculture – what did we do and what were the big innovations required to do this?

It is vital for agriculture to take a leadership role in reducing carbon emissions, specifically becoming carbon neutral by 2050. We currently play a massive role in not only feeding the UK but also the world. It is our responsibility to take ownership of our part of the ecosystem, specifically, leading the way in natural capital management (flora and fauna).

We also need to take ownership of climate cleaning services in our local farming regions, which would help create a new business sector for farmers. By 2050, we are on track for massive breakthroughs in agriculture. With improvements in battery technology and carbon-free fertilizer, combined with global incentives for carbon sequestration, farmers are on track to be part of the solution. We propose a Cultural Revolution in how our youth interact with our food system. We must educate the future of this planet. Agriculture must become a major component of education, just as valuable as mathematics, science, technology, language and the arts. We propose a number of major policy shifts and additions that need to be part of the national education syllabus. Food, agriculture and health must become a major focus in schools. We can do this by employing these realistic and valuable tactics:

• Cooking demonstrations correlated with seasonal fruits, vegetables, fibre, and protein • School gardens - every school should have a garden or access to a community garden • Farm visits seasonally • Improved food quality in schools

By implementing these simple and relatively modest investments in education, we will transform the way we look at and interact with food. Farming and agriculture will become a realistic and booming opportunity for future employment.

Question:

We, as Nuffield international scholars, are working to achieve these vital goals. What can you do to help us achieve our vision for a healthier and cleaner future?

GROUPS 3&4

Norwich Research Park scientists:

Bruce Lankford, Emeritus Professor School of International Development, Water Security Research Centre UEA Dr Kathrin Thor, Postdoctoral scientist, The Sainsbury Laboratory. Studies Plant Health Dr Sam Mugford, Research scientist, John Innes Centre. Plant and insect interactions and identifying genetic solutions to combat diseases

Scholars:

Hans Loder Jasmine Boxsell Omid Ansari Thomas Young Shawn Moen Arnaud Charmetant Aoife Feeney Charles Downie Matthew Blyth Michael Blackbeard Carlos Zegwaard Elder Bruno Renata Rossetto Lopes Shinya Okazaki

THE CHALLENGE

By 2050 water insecurity is reduced and its use highly regulated and well managed – what innovations were put in place to keep food production flowing while reducing water consumption?

Our focus was on areas of Regulation & Management, Technology and Society. Innovative regulatory framework with three pillars:

• Technology • Community • Clarity

Reflexive framework promoting self-regulation, responsible stewardship and engagement of pioneers.

You can’t manage what you don’t measure – data capture and analytics is our technology focus and includes the implementation of:

• Water trading platforms • IOT sensors • Start-up pioneers • Universal overview (dashboarding & data visualisation)

OUR PROPOSAL

Research focus • Natural habitats • Enhanced use and reuse of water supply • Crops and animals • Continuity of food supply while technology developed • Change water education and research • Mandatory country-specific education fund • Global levy on water trading • All groups involved • Seven Continent Water Army

GROUPS 5&6

Norwich Research Park scientists:

Brian Reid, Associate Pro Vice Chancellor for Research (APVC-R), Professor of Soil Scientist UEA and Adjunct Professor with the Chinese Academy of Science Dr Maria Hernandez-Soriano, Post-doctoral Scientist, John Innes Centre

Scholars:

Jess Conlan Kelly McTavish Benjamin Hunt David Throup Ian Baggs Miles Middleton Toby Simpson Elisa Blanco Jo Kelly Ranald Angus Marjorie Lambert Pat Collins Aaron de Long Ruth McCabe Isidora Molina

THE CHALLENGE

By 2050, we have managed to slow soil erosion and improve the quality of agricultural soil. How did we do this?

The loss of soil due to erosion leads to food shortage, extreme climatic conditions and economic collapse.

A civilization that destroys its soil destroys itself. There are strategies to avoid soil erosion but the challenge is how to implement them in the field.

Introduce cover crops at a larger scale in agriculture.

OUR PROPOSAL

BAN BARE SOIL • We must educate farmers on the benefits of cover crops

• We need to introduce policies to regulate soil quality

• We must provide free cover crops seeds and related incentives (support to grow these crops)

GROUPS 7&8

Norwich Research Park scientists:

Dr Seanna McTaggart, Project Manager, Tree of Life, Earlham Institute (Genomics) Dr Sanu Arora, Group Leader, John Innes Centre. Studies natural diversity in peas

Scholars:

Emily Padfield Richard Copas Raqueeb Bey AjamuOsagboro Marjin Vermulen Maud Tomesen-Hoefnagel Pieter Winter Jesse Moody Leisa Sams Michael Densham Anna Bowen Camilla Hayselden-Ashby Lance Woods

THE CHALLENGE

By 2050 we have lost biodiversity. What lessons have we learnt and how can we utilise genomics to increase biodiversity?

Soil is the foundation of life on earth. Without healthy soil, we will be unable to feed our growing population. With a healthy, biodiverse soil you improve the entry and storage of water, resistance to erosion, plant nutrition as well as carbon storage.

OUR PROPOSAL

‘The Farm Genome Project’

Metagenomic profiling of the soil as: • A measuring tool for farmers to assess soil health • A resource for scientists and entrepreneurs to develop new soil innovations and identify optimal management practices

This will be achieved by: 1. Gathering soil samples and management practice/farming system data from farmers 2. Genomic profiling 3. Creating open access, publicly-owned database of soil genomic information

Benefits: • Farmers - tools to improve soil health • Customers – improved nutrient density of food • UK Plc – opportunities for business innovation • Environment – improved biodiversity for the world, reduced pollution and enhanced carbon storage

This requires: • Investment in genomic profiling technologies and database development • Integration with ELM scheme soil testing

GROUPS 9&10

Norwich Research Park scientists:

Bushra Abu-Helil, PhD student – Quadram Institute Biosciences. Animal health and sustainable agriculture Grace Lin PhD student UEA. Plant-based and sustainable diets Dr Natasha Grist, John Innes Foundation Fellow, UEA. Sustainable agriculture and climate change

Scholars:

Joshua Maunder Claire Whittle Dan De Baerdemaecker Elizabeth Cresswell James MacCartney Miranda Timmerman Felix Kili Luke Chaplain Rob Havard Florie-Anne Wiel Susan Weaver Ford Nelly van Veelen-Hoorn Johan Leenders

THE CHALLENGE

By 2050, Meat-Free Monday is a legal requirement, but meat is in higher demand than ever. How did we achieve this?

OUR PROPOSAL

‘Meat us halfway’

Meat-free Monday does not need to be a legal requirement by 2050 because meat production will be carbon neutral by 2040.

We achieve this by: 1. Changes in farming practises: • Mixed farming: alternative protein farming, agroforestry/silvopasture • Regenerative • Animal health and welfare • Allotments

2. Learning: • Schools: food, farming, soils • Farmers: peer-to-peer learning • Consumers: dietary changes, growing own food

3. Creating a community: • Bridging the gap between farmers and consumers • Bridging between urban and rural communities

4. Incentives: • Payments for nutrient density - quality over quantity, reward farmers for higher quality products including metrics like biodiversity • Subsidies - rewarding sustainable practices e.g. biodiversity, health and welfare • Taxation - dis-incentivise harmful products/practices, reducing waste, discouraging pollutions/emissions

GROUPS 11&12

Norwich Research Park scientists:

Dr Jack Rhodes, Postdoctoral scientist. Studying Plant immunity. Jack grew up on a mixed dairy and arable farm Emily Evans, MSc International Development & Climate Change (UEA), Livestock Farmer and Environment Lead at Fen Farm Dairy, Suffolk Andy Chen, PhD student, JIC and BiotechYES winner (designed and promoted a fictitious company to use seaweed-based feeds to reduce methane emissions in cows)

Scholars:

Munro Hardy Alisdair Cook Edward Towers Kendra Hall David Dolan Lucie Douma Dorieke Goodijk Helen Wyman Robert Howe Brendan Crosse Thomas Mason Kosuke Kubo Graeme Sharp Yvonne Dzuda

THE CHALLENGE

By 2050, biomethane produced from dairy cattle is more valuable than milk. How does that change our perception of what a cow should look like?

The focus of our challenge is to change the perception of the dairy cow from ‘pollution to a solution’. Through innovation, policy and communication we believe we have identified another critical step in achieving our NetZero goal.

OUR PROPOSAL

Our solution will be three-fold: • With the support of the UK government-led innovation fund, we are confident that the UK can drive research development and innovation into the capturing of biomethane from both slurry and enteric emission.

• We need the necessary policy and a regulatory task force to bring innovations to market in the quickest possibleway. This will be a critical enabling factor as entrepreneurs and scientists work to deliver a muchneeded solution.

• ‘Cowmunication’: like the ‘Got Milk’ ad campaign of the 90s we need to demonstrate the benefits of dairy cows to consumers. With scientificallybacked information, we intend to change public perceptions of the cow from a contributor to pollution to part of the solution to climate change.

Telling the story of how cows can provide multiple benefits to society, including energy, social, ecosystem services, protein and health.