Harper Adams University
Organisation type:
Research Institution
Contact name:
Dr Julia M. Casperd
Position/ Role:
Project lead/Researcher
email:
Grants interested in applying for:
Lowland Peat Water Discovery Grant, Paludiculture and Wetter Farming Fund
Region:
Shropshire
Areas of expertise
Carbon accounting/ water management, Environmental monitoring (habitats, water quality), Hydrology, rewetting infrastructure, water management (e.g. tilting weirs, level-control structures), Farmer engagement/ knowledge exchange, Landscape scale planning (aligned with Defra's Landscape Recovery), Market innovation/ product development/ supply chain, Peatland restoration, Policy/ regulation/ advisory services, Private finance, Scientific research (ecology, soils, modelling, remote sensing, biogeochemistry), Socioeconomic research, Other (please specify in Additional Information below)
Resources available
Facilities for meetings/ demonstrations, Laboratory or analytical capacity, Staff time/ research capacity, Trial land available, Water-level infrastructure (e.g. weirs, sluices, pumps)
Engagement interests
We would welcome collaboration on projects focused on innovative, landscape-scale monitoring approaches for environmental services, alongside the development and testing of private finance mechanisms linked to land management change.
Harper Adams University would normally expect to act as project lead, drawing on our established research capability, experience of coordinating multi-partner projects, and existing infrastructure. However, where funding rules or consortium balance require alternative arrangements, we are equally open to participating as a project partner.
We can offer an established paludiculture research site, which is available to support field trials, method development, and demonstration activity. This site provides opportunities for testing monitoring technologies, generating empirical data, and evaluating outcomes relevant to carbon, biodiversity, water, and wider ecosystem services.
Our preferred mode of collaboration includes co‑developing methods and pilot studies with partners, particularly where interdisciplinary approaches and applied innovation are required. We can contribute data, research expertise, and analytical capacity, as well as support stakeholder and farmer engagement linked to applied research and knowledge exchange.
In addition to standard project partnerships, we are open to alternative collaboration models, including contractual arrangements, where this better supports delivery against specific funding call requirements or timelines.
We are keen to work with partners whose expertise complements our own and who are interested in delivering practical, scalable solutions with clear pathways to impact.
Additional information
Past and current lowland peat research at Harper Adams University
Harper Adams University has an established and growing portfolio of research focused on lowland peatlands, paludiculture, and wetland farming systems. Past and ongoing projects include:
Lowland Peat 3 (LP3) – Collaborative research with UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH), contributing to improved understanding of lowland peatland management, rewetting, and greenhouse gas dynamics.
Project information: The LowlandPeat3 Project | Lowland PeatlandsPaludiculture Innovation Project (PIP) – Research focused on developing and testing paludiculture systems, crops, and value chains suitable for rewetted peat soils.
Project information: Research - Paludiculture Innovation Project (PIP)Patchy Peat Solutions Project (Environment Agency LAPWDP funded) – Working with farmers to explore water dynamics, greenhouse gas mitigation, and the use of paludiculture crops within small, rewetted areas of lowland peat soils.
Project information: Research - Patchy Peat Solutions Project
These projects demonstrate experience in applied peatland research, multi‑partner collaboration, and close engagement with land managers.
Trial sites, facilities, and equipment
Harper Adams University can offer access to existing trial sites, facilities, and specialist expertise, including:
Two active paludiculture trial sites:
A site within Lowland Peat 3, focused on testing paludiculture crops under varying water‑level conditions.
A second site funded through PEF2, focused on greenhouse gas emissions during the wetting and rewetting of lowland peat soils.
Facilities and land available for research, trials, and demonstrations. Further information can be found at:
Harper Adams University - Home or by contacting jcasperd@harper-adams.ac.uk.Access to research infrastructure, monitoring capability, and institutional networks, including contacts across the farming, research, and policy communities.
Experience in peatland, wetland, and regenerative farming systems
Our researchers have substantial experience working on peatland soils and wetter farming systems, including direct engagement with farmers to explore practical implementation challenges and opportunities. Under the Patchy Peat Project, this includes studying water dynamics and the integration of paludiculture crops in small‑scale, farmed peatland settings, supporting evidence‑based decision‑making and knowledge exchange.
Organisations or individuals interested in this area are encouraged to contact lcrockford@harper-adams.ac.uks collaboration opportunities.
Opportunities for collaboration, demonstrations, and workshops
Harper Adams University offers strong opportunities for:
Field trials and method development
On‑farm demonstrations and workshops
Stakeholder and farmer engagement activities
Knowledge exchange linked to applied research outcomes
We are particularly interested in exploring cranberry production on rewetted peat soils. Organisations or individuals interested in this area are encouraged to contact jcasperd@harper-adams.ac.uk to discuss collaboration opportunities.
Further collaborative opportunities across the University can be explored via Our Research Centres