Focus on Agritech: Lincolnshire Leading the way in Global Robotics
The Lincoln Institute for Agri-Food Technology (LIAT) aims to support and enhance productivity, efficiency and sustainability in food and farming through research, education and technology.
You are invited to join us as we partner with Queens award winner LIAT and Barclays Eagle Labs to hear how the team there are supporting innovation to drive forward global recognition in the Agritech sector.
The event will include tour of the Riseholme campus facility* and a light networking lunch.
Proposed event agenda:
09:30-10:00 Arrival & refreshments
10:00-10:30 Welcome & overview of LIAT and Barclays Eagle Labs by Professor Simon Pearson & Lisa Bagley
10:30-12:00 Campus Tour
12:00-13:00 Networking lunch
This event is open to all Team Lincolnshire ambassadors and any businesses within the Agri-food/Agri-tech sector which are located in Greater Lincolnshire.
To reserve your place please book using our events booking portal by Wednesday 19th June, advising of any dietary requirements.
A specialist research institute of the University of Lincoln, our multi-disciplinary team brings together sector-leading expertise in a diverse range of subjects from crop science to AI and robotics.
Home to Lincoln Agri-Robotics and an Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Centre for Doctoral Training in Agri-Food Robotics: AgriFoRwArdS, our agri-tech community is at the cutting edge of technological advancements in agriculture.
Situated at the University’s 200-hectare Riseholme Campus just north of Lincoln, researchers enjoy access to a working farm, woodlands, grasslands and watercourses.
Professor Simon Pearson - Bio
Simon has been responsible for founding and developing the Lincoln Institute of Agri Food Technology (LIAT), now recognised as “world leading” within the 2021 BEIS Innovation Strategy, Creating the Future. His group have helped pioneer the development of advanced robotic systems, machine learning, artificial intelligence and digital systems for UK agriculture. These systems are now entering the marketplace and in 2021, 12 Saga Thorvald robot systems co-developed with the Lincoln team, achieved the milestone of 10,000km of on-farm autonomy. In 2021, he co-chaired the DEFRA Automation and Robotics Review with former Secretary of State George Eustice.
Over the last 7 years, Simon’s group have leveraged over £73M of collaborative research and development funding to underpin an extensive range of agricultural technologies. This includes co-leadership of the EPSRC AgriForwards Centre for Doctoral Training cohort of 50 PhD’s, joint with the Universities of Cambridge and East Anglia - one of the largest global cohorts of agri-robotics PhD’s - bringing in new talent to the industry; key people who will help resolve complex challenges across agriculture. Prior to joining Lincoln, Simon was Director of a farming company producing cut flowers in Lincolnshire and Cornwall. He grew up in South Lincolnshire, where his family produced vegetable and cereal crops.
For his contribution to the sector, he was awarded the 2022 RASE Science and Technology Award.
*please wear footware and clothing suitable for a farm visit