Neil Ward
@profneilward.bsky.social
Professor, UEA; rural economy; net-zero, food & farming; (+ New Order, The Fall, The Only Ones; Pembrokeshire, Northumberland, Forest of Dean)
Reposted by Neil Ward
I really wish announcements about new schemes from public funders like the ESRC weren't made via paywalled articles...
ESRC to pilot two new applicant-led calls.
Existing schemes will remain open, says leader of Economic and Social Research Council Stian Westlake.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Existing schemes will remain open, says leader of Economic and Social Research Council Stian Westlake.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
ESRC to pilot two new applicant-led calls - Research Professional News
Existing schemes will remain open, says leader of Economic and Social Research Council
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
February 9, 2026 at 3:30 PM
I really wish announcements about new schemes from public funders like the ESRC weren't made via paywalled articles...
Reposted by Neil Ward
📚 New research out today ‘Potential Pathways and Solutions to Acute Food System Crisis in the UK’, examines how a serious food crisis could happen in the UK, and what can be done to stop it.
Read in full here: www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/18...
Read in full here: www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/18...
February 4, 2026 at 11:47 AM
📚 New research out today ‘Potential Pathways and Solutions to Acute Food System Crisis in the UK’, examines how a serious food crisis could happen in the UK, and what can be done to stop it.
Read in full here: www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/18...
Read in full here: www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/18...
Reposted by Neil Ward
“None of the important issues facing the food system can be adequately addressed without strong underpinning social science.” In this guest feature✍️ @profneilward.bsky.social emphasises a crucial role for social science in transforming the UK’s food system. ➡️ acss.org.uk/transforming...
January 27, 2026 at 2:54 PM
“None of the important issues facing the food system can be adequately addressed without strong underpinning social science.” In this guest feature✍️ @profneilward.bsky.social emphasises a crucial role for social science in transforming the UK’s food system. ➡️ acss.org.uk/transforming...
Reposted by Neil Ward
Defra has quietly published what should be one of the most significant reports on UK food security in years: a national security assessment of global biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse. Read our digest 👉 tinyurl.com/53tmhcaa
Digest: National Security Assessment - AFN Network+
Defra has quietly published what should be one of the most significant reports on UK food security in years: a national security assessment of global biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse - read our...
tinyurl.com
January 27, 2026 at 11:30 AM
Defra has quietly published what should be one of the most significant reports on UK food security in years: a national security assessment of global biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse. Read our digest 👉 tinyurl.com/53tmhcaa
Reposted by Neil Ward
“When I am dead and gone
My Vibrations will live on
In vibes on vinyl through the years
People will dance to my waves”
Mark E. Smith 5 March 1957 – 24 January 2018
My Vibrations will live on
In vibes on vinyl through the years
People will dance to my waves”
Mark E. Smith 5 March 1957 – 24 January 2018
January 24, 2026 at 7:58 AM
“When I am dead and gone
My Vibrations will live on
In vibes on vinyl through the years
People will dance to my waves”
Mark E. Smith 5 March 1957 – 24 January 2018
My Vibrations will live on
In vibes on vinyl through the years
People will dance to my waves”
Mark E. Smith 5 March 1957 – 24 January 2018
Reposted by Neil Ward
"The UK does not have enough land to feed its population and rear livestock: a wholesale change in consumer diets would be required." re: the challenge of food security under nature collapse.
from a UK govt national security assessment out today…
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/696e0e...
from a UK govt national security assessment out today…
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/696e0e...
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
January 20, 2026 at 5:26 PM
"The UK does not have enough land to feed its population and rear livestock: a wholesale change in consumer diets would be required." re: the challenge of food security under nature collapse.
from a UK govt national security assessment out today…
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/696e0e...
from a UK govt national security assessment out today…
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/696e0e...
"Without significant increases in UK food system and supply chain resilience, it is unlikely the UK would be able to maintain food security if ecosystem collapse drives geopolitical competition for food" - says Joint Intelligence Cttee. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
#afnnetwork.bsky.social
#afnnetwork.bsky.social
Biodiversity collapse threatens UK security, intelligence chiefs warn
Ecosystem destruction will increase food shortages, disorder and mass migration, with effects already being felt
www.theguardian.com
January 21, 2026 at 8:43 AM
"Without significant increases in UK food system and supply chain resilience, it is unlikely the UK would be able to maintain food security if ecosystem collapse drives geopolitical competition for food" - says Joint Intelligence Cttee. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
#afnnetwork.bsky.social
#afnnetwork.bsky.social
A thoughtful and interesting speech for anyone trying to make sense of what on earth is happening
Mark Carney's speech really is terrific: full text is here and very much worth your time.
The Carney doctrine
Open comment thread on the PM's Davos speech
paulwells.substack.com
January 21, 2026 at 8:34 AM
A thoughtful and interesting speech for anyone trying to make sense of what on earth is happening
I'll be speaking at this event, and you can book here: www.tinyurl.com/FSTS26
January 8, 2026 at 9:08 AM
I'll be speaking at this event, and you can book here: www.tinyurl.com/FSTS26
If you are on the way to the #OxfordRealFarmingConference, you might be interested to read this piece: theconversation.com/three-ways-t...
Three ways to make the UK’s food system more resilient – according to new report by 150 experts
Modelling shows that we will need to change not just how we farm, but what farming produces and what we eat.
theconversation.com
January 8, 2026 at 8:28 AM
If you are on the way to the #OxfordRealFarmingConference, you might be interested to read this piece: theconversation.com/three-ways-t...
Reposted by Neil Ward
⭐New guest feature⭐ In this piece @profneilward.bsky.social of @tyndallcentre.bsky.social emphasises a crucial role for social science in transforming the UK’s food system to help address a range of issues incl. climate change, food security & agricultural resilience.➡️ acss.org.uk/transforming...
January 7, 2026 at 2:54 PM
⭐New guest feature⭐ In this piece @profneilward.bsky.social of @tyndallcentre.bsky.social emphasises a crucial role for social science in transforming the UK’s food system to help address a range of issues incl. climate change, food security & agricultural resilience.➡️ acss.org.uk/transforming...
Reposted by Neil Ward
"The evidence suggests that climate impacts are what’s actually driving issues of profitability as opposed to policy change. Without reaching net zero emission there is no way to limit the impacts making food production in the UK ever more difficult.”
https://bit.ly/4pfrq4d
https://bit.ly/4pfrq4d
UK farmers lose £800m after heat and drought cause one of worst harvests on record
Many now concerned about ability to make living in fast-changing climate after one of worst grain harvests recorded
www.theguardian.com
December 4, 2025 at 10:30 AM
"The evidence suggests that climate impacts are what’s actually driving issues of profitability as opposed to policy change. Without reaching net zero emission there is no way to limit the impacts making food production in the UK ever more difficult.”
https://bit.ly/4pfrq4d
https://bit.ly/4pfrq4d
Reposted by Neil Ward
SUPERB and angrily unvarnished response, by former BBC chairman, Lord Patten.
"I don't think that we should allow ourselves to be bullied into thinking that the BBC is only any good, if it reflects the prejudice of the last person who shouted at it." ~AA
"I don't think that we should allow ourselves to be bullied into thinking that the BBC is only any good, if it reflects the prejudice of the last person who shouted at it." ~AA
November 10, 2025 at 6:40 PM
SUPERB and angrily unvarnished response, by former BBC chairman, Lord Patten.
"I don't think that we should allow ourselves to be bullied into thinking that the BBC is only any good, if it reflects the prejudice of the last person who shouted at it." ~AA
"I don't think that we should allow ourselves to be bullied into thinking that the BBC is only any good, if it reflects the prejudice of the last person who shouted at it." ~AA
Reposted by Neil Ward
Two quick takes on the government's Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan - this podcast and a new @green-alliance.org.uk blog. That's your lunchtime sorted! greenallianceblog.org.uk/2025/10/31/a...
October 31, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Two quick takes on the government's Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan - this podcast and a new @green-alliance.org.uk blog. That's your lunchtime sorted! greenallianceblog.org.uk/2025/10/31/a...
Reposted by Neil Ward
The drainage of lowland peat has produced a giant carbon bomb in the Fens - something I discuss in The Lie of the Land
Very interesting proposal in the Govt's Carbon Budget Delivery Plan to *consider* regulating Fen landowners to raise water levels:
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6901d0...
Very interesting proposal in the Govt's Carbon Budget Delivery Plan to *consider* regulating Fen landowners to raise water levels:
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6901d0...
October 29, 2025 at 7:46 PM
The drainage of lowland peat has produced a giant carbon bomb in the Fens - something I discuss in The Lie of the Land
Very interesting proposal in the Govt's Carbon Budget Delivery Plan to *consider* regulating Fen landowners to raise water levels:
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6901d0...
Very interesting proposal in the Govt's Carbon Budget Delivery Plan to *consider* regulating Fen landowners to raise water levels:
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6901d0...
Reposted by Neil Ward
Our co-lead @profneilward.bsky.social joined BBC Radio 4’s Farming Today to discuss the Roadmap for Resilience: A UK Food Plan for 2050, and what needs to change to build a fairer, healthier, more resilient food system for the UK.
🎧 Listen here: tinyurl.com/3ee88y3k
🎧 Listen here: tinyurl.com/3ee88y3k
Farming Today - 23/10/25 Environmental regulation in Northern Ireland. Malting barley for beer. Food system report - BBC Sounds
Call for new independent environmental regulator in Northern Ireland.
tinyurl.com
October 23, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Our co-lead @profneilward.bsky.social joined BBC Radio 4’s Farming Today to discuss the Roadmap for Resilience: A UK Food Plan for 2050, and what needs to change to build a fairer, healthier, more resilient food system for the UK.
🎧 Listen here: tinyurl.com/3ee88y3k
🎧 Listen here: tinyurl.com/3ee88y3k
Reposted by Neil Ward
Three ways to make the UK’s food system more resilient - read this piece in @uk.theconversation.com by our co-lead @profneilward.bsky.social about our Roadmap for Resilience report.
theconversation.com/three-ways-t...
theconversation.com/three-ways-t...
Three ways to make the UK’s food system more resilient – according to new report by 150 experts
Modelling shows that we will need to change not just how we farm, but what farming produces and what we eat.
theconversation.com
October 16, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Three ways to make the UK’s food system more resilient - read this piece in @uk.theconversation.com by our co-lead @profneilward.bsky.social about our Roadmap for Resilience report.
theconversation.com/three-ways-t...
theconversation.com/three-ways-t...
Reposted by Neil Ward
1/ How should the UK respond to mounting pressure from climate change, health problems, and global instability? Our Roadmap for Resilience report calls for rapid and urgent action on food, at a scale not seen since WW2.
Full report: tinyurl.com/369s6wuy
#UKFoodPlan2050 #AFNRoadmap
Full report: tinyurl.com/369s6wuy
#UKFoodPlan2050 #AFNRoadmap
October 15, 2025 at 8:15 AM
1/ How should the UK respond to mounting pressure from climate change, health problems, and global instability? Our Roadmap for Resilience report calls for rapid and urgent action on food, at a scale not seen since WW2.
Full report: tinyurl.com/369s6wuy
#UKFoodPlan2050 #AFNRoadmap
Full report: tinyurl.com/369s6wuy
#UKFoodPlan2050 #AFNRoadmap
What a wonderful night in Norwich with Edwyn Collins, who put on a great show with much love all round.
October 7, 2025 at 5:33 AM
What a wonderful night in Norwich with Edwyn Collins, who put on a great show with much love all round.
Reposted by Neil Ward
Join the live launch of EAT Lancet on Friday, 3 October!
We’re proud to be part of the upcoming launch of the EAT Lancet Commission, a major scientific update to one of the most influential food systems reports of the past decade.
Register now: bit.ly/3Kg9SW8
We’re proud to be part of the upcoming launch of the EAT Lancet Commission, a major scientific update to one of the most influential food systems reports of the past decade.
Register now: bit.ly/3Kg9SW8
October 1, 2025 at 11:16 AM
Join the live launch of EAT Lancet on Friday, 3 October!
We’re proud to be part of the upcoming launch of the EAT Lancet Commission, a major scientific update to one of the most influential food systems reports of the past decade.
Register now: bit.ly/3Kg9SW8
We’re proud to be part of the upcoming launch of the EAT Lancet Commission, a major scientific update to one of the most influential food systems reports of the past decade.
Register now: bit.ly/3Kg9SW8
Reposted by Neil Ward
📃 Our team have digested another raft of the latest key reports and news on food systems and climate covering the latest on health inequalities, school meals, lobbying by food industry, a sustainability framework for farmers & much more 👉 tinyurl.com/4am62du3
DIGEST: Key reports and news on food systems and climate - AFN Network+
It’s been a busy end to the summer and start to the Autumn! Here are some of the key reports and news on food systems and climate, digested, so you don’t have to.
tinyurl.com
September 24, 2025 at 9:04 AM
📃 Our team have digested another raft of the latest key reports and news on food systems and climate covering the latest on health inequalities, school meals, lobbying by food industry, a sustainability framework for farmers & much more 👉 tinyurl.com/4am62du3
Reposted by Neil Ward
Bringing our key objective into focus in a session at our #BigTent event today in the Net Zero Pathways workshop, attendees discussed how soil and agricultural systems can inform and support the development of pathways to net zero in the land use sector.
#LUNZHub #LandUse #NetZero
#LUNZHub #LandUse #NetZero
September 17, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Reposted by Neil Ward
Feed: "Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research"
By: April Dyer on Monday, September 8, 2025
By: April Dyer on Monday, September 8, 2025
The Tyndall Centre at 25 Years: UK must step up climate ambition shows anniversary assessment report
The UK now uses less energy than almost anyone anticipated 20 years ago, but opportunities to act on this potential were largely missed, according to a new report published by the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research at The University of Manchester today.
tyndall.ac.uk
September 10, 2025 at 3:32 AM
Feed: "Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research"
By: April Dyer on Monday, September 8, 2025
By: April Dyer on Monday, September 8, 2025