Warwick University

The School of Life Sciences at Warwick University is a cohesive, enthusiastic community producing world-class, high-impact bioscience research and teaching within an open, friendly, inclusive and highly collaborative environment.

The Elizabeth Creak Trust has generously donated over £1million over 5 years to create the position of Elizabeth Creak Chair in Food Security and the Clyde Higgs Scholarship programme, which we have been supporting since 2014.

Elizabeth Creak Chair in Food Security

With thanks to the Trust’s support, the Elizabeth Creak Chair in Food Security was established in 2016, a position held by Professor Murray Grant. Professor Grant’s research interests are in the interactions of pathogenic and beneficial plant microbes. Professor Grant and his team undertake multidisciplinary research using genetics, molecular biology, metabolomics, imaging, gene editing/genetic manipulation and bioelectrical signalling approaches for new discovery to enable the sustainability of the agriculture industry in the UK and across the globe.

The Trust is also generously funding a special scholarship to support students interested in pursuing a career in the agri-food sector.

Clyde Higgs Scholars – School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick

The Clyde Higgs Scholarships are awarded to students engaging in one of our three one-year Masters Courses, which focus on crop production, food security and environmental bioscience respectively Clyde Higgs Scholarships (warwick.ac.uk). The scholarships support students in furthering their knowledge and understanding of food, farming and the environment through a combination of taught sessions and a 10-week research project on a topic of their choice, which allows them to further develop their skills. The University of Warwick is proud to support scholars from a variety of backgrounds, who contribute to the diverse pool of talented individuals that subsequently go on to employment or to undertake further studies.

Recently graduated Scholars have undertaken projects on a diverse range of topics including:

How do livestock management strategies influence grassland soil properties and carbon storage potential?
Screening for resistance to Fusarium oxysporum in spring greens (Brassica oleracea).
Sustainable beer production – the effects of organic-based fertilisers on three varieties of spring malting barley.
Identification of Fusarium resistance in leeks.
Investigating the factors influencing farmers’ decisions to enhance biodiversity through government incentive programs.
Analysis of water quality improvement in the River Blythe.
Investigating farmers’ perceptions of farm carbon audits.
A comparative life cycle analysis study of different cotton cultivation systems across the US.

Most of our Clyde Higgs alumni develop their careers in the agriculture, food and environment sectors. A significant proportion now work in agriculture and associated industries as agronomists or in other specialist roles supporting crop production. Others work in the food industry. Several have taken up roles with local or national government, related to the natural environment and sustainability. NGOs are another favoured destination and, for example, several of our alumni have taken up roles with LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming). Some have gone into research management. Finally, some of our alumni go on to undertake further studies, usually a PhD, on a topic that has inspired them during their Masters course.

How can we help?