Natural history collections

The Royal Agricultural University holds several archival natural history collections that are closely linked to the history of the institution, including:

The tides of strength beyond the shoreline, Stories from Unguja and Pemba

By Neema Said

The night before my flight felt endless, a mix of nerves and excitement tossing through my body like waves in a restless sea. When the alarm finally screamed to life, I was already halfway out of bed, had prepared myself, and headed to the airport. The plane was tiny, the kind that makes you second-guess your life choices mid-air, but adventure waited ahead. Minutes later, I touched down in Pemba, the island of cloves, its sweet scent wrapping around me like a warm welcome.

University’s climate change film to premier at international film festival

24 June 2025

A short film about the effects of climate change on traditional fishing communities on the islands of Tanzania – which has been put together as part of a joint project between the Royal Agricultural University (RAU) and the University of Dar es Samaan in Tanzania - is to premier at this week’s Zanzibar International Film Festival 2025.

Funded by the British Academy’s ODA (Official Development Assistance) Challenge-Oriented Research Grants, the 25-minute documentary Bahari ni Maisha Yetu, which translates as The Sea Is Our Life, highlights the activities and

Royal Agricultural University welcomes inclusion of agritech and agriculture in the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy

23 June 2025

The Royal Agricultural University (RAU) has welcomed the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy which has been published this morning by the UK Government.

Agriculture features as a ‘frontier industry’ within Advanced Manufacturing - one of the eight ‘IS-8’ sectors picked out as having the highest potential.

RAU Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter McCaffery said: “It is very welcome to see agritech and the strategic importance of agriculture recognised in the Industrial Strategy government published today.

Residential Summer School 21 June - 5 July 2026

Are you interested in studying in the UK and experiencing British university life firsthand? The Royal Agricultural University (RAU) is delighted to launch its new Residential Summer School, a two-week programme hosted at our historic Cirencester campus, in the heart of the beautiful Cotswolds.

Top students plan careers in ag research after a week-long tour of cutting-edge farmers, growers and businesses

20 June 2025

The Agricultural University Council (AUC) Summer School came to a close today with a celebratory event at the Royal Agricultural University’s (RAU) Swindon campus.

A group of 26 top students from 19 universities, studying a wide range of subjects from STEM to liberal arts, have spent five packed days visiting innovative farmers, businesses, and researchers across the country.

Escalation in world conflict

20 June 2025

Support for RAU students and staff

The Royal Agricultural University recognises that several conflicts have escalated in various parts of the world and that these developments are understandably distressing for many members of our university community, particularly those with family, friends, or personal ties to the affected regions.

At this time of heightened uncertainty and concern, we want to reaffirm our commitment to supporting both staff and students impacted by these events.

Are you coming to Groundswell? Join us to raise a glass to farmer-led innovation

17 June 2025

The Agricultural Universities Council (AUC) will be hosting a session with the funders and farmers behind Defra’s ADOPT fund at next month’s Groundswell Regenerative Agriculture Festival.

ADOPT, which was launched in April, will commit at least £20.6M to supporting farmer-led trials at scale and the Groundswell session, which has been organised in collaboration with the Farmer-Led Innovation Network (FLIN), will hear from funders and pioneering farmers on why this is such a monumental shift in how on-farm research is valued, and how it could support Groundsw

'Croissants & Questions' business breakfast - Thursday 26 June 2025

Join us for our monthly 'Croissants & Questions' business breakfast

Thursday 26 June 2025 from 8.00 am to 9.30 am at the Alliston Centre, GL7 6JR

Hosted by our business development space Farm491 and the business hub The Growth Hub Cirencester at the Alliston Centre, this business breakfast series offers a unique opportunity for those interested in strategic land use, farming and food to network and engage with a key theme each month at the RAU. 

Sarah Lower

Biography 

Sarah joined the RAU in 2018 and has a passion for people management. As Director of Human Resources, she is responsible for delivering all aspects of Human Resources including organisational development, equality, diversity and inclusion and health and wellbeing support. She has a record of supporting and implementing people strategies and developing systems, working to enhance performance and efficiency.

Subscribe to