Alumni events

180th Lecture Series ~ Dancing with Daffodils

The third lecture in our 180th anniversary lecture series will take place on Wednesday 16 July 2025 in the Kenneth Russell room at the Royal Agricultural University (RAU).

The lecture, entitled Dancing with Daffodils, will be delivered by Professor Xianmin Chang, Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor (China Programmes) at the RAU, and Kevin Stephens, Managing Director of Agroceutical Products Ltd.

It will explore the development story of the hill farm production of daffodils to provide bio-active compounds to the pharma and ag-chem industries to treat Alzheimer's Disease and possibly even cancer.

Prof Chang has more than 40 years' research experience and, in the last two decades, his research has focused on growing daffodils for alkaloids for human health. Working closely with pharmaceutical companies - in particular with Kevin Stephens at Agroceutical Products Ltd (APL), his research projects include daffodil material screening, genetic analysis, planting, and alkaloid extraction, isolation and purification. So far, more than 500 alkaloids have been identified and one of these, Galanthamine, is now being used to the treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Kevin Stephens has more than 20 years' experience managing development projects across commercial and public sectors, combining his agricultural background with expertise in chemical engineering, an MBA, and an MSc in International Management and Finance. His diverse portfolio includes projects in natural products, engineering, and alternative energy, such as wool applications, waste plastic conversion, and green chemistry innovations.

Come along to hear their stories and how research in daffodils plays an important role into our future.

Tickets and parking are free. Visit this link to book on Eventbrite.

Croissants & Questions, Farm491 Breakfast Series

Join us at the Alliston Centre for our next ‘Croissants & Questions’ business breakfast. This month’s theme is ‘Speakers’ Corner’.

In the departure to our usual format, this month we are handing the mic over to the floor, before opening up for networking.

We hope this will be a fantastic chance for attendees, all interested in strategic land use, farming and food systems, to receive an extended opportunity to introduce themselves, their organisation and research or agricultural passion. 

Fresh pastries and beverages will be served. 

Advanced free registration is required. Visit this link to book on Eventbrite.

180th Lecture Series ~ Our Future in the Land

The fourth 180th anniversary lecture will take place on Wednesday 10 September 2025 in the Boutflour Hall, at the Royal Agricultural University, delivered by Sue Pritchard is Chief Executive of the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission (FFCC) and Tom MacMillan, Elizabeth Creak Chair in Rural Policy and Strategy at the Royal Agricultural University.

Behind our virtual realities of Zoom meetings and AI assistants, the world depends more critically than ever on how we use the land. This is because land is under unprecedented pressure. In the UK and globally, we need more from the land – food, energy, wildlife, carbon sinks, housing – than there are acres to provide it. Unless, that is, we use it differently. How can better ways of making decisions, and new tools and approaches to managing land, help us find a way through?

Sue Pritchard is Chief Executive of the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission (FFCC) and an independent Governor of the RAU. The FFCC’s 2019 report, ‘Our Future in the Land’, recommended a national land use framework for England – a proposal accepted by the previous government that is now being implemented.

Prof Tom MacMillan is Elizabeth Creak Chair in Rural Policy and Strategy at the RAU. He provided research support to the FFCC and is involved in an initiative at the RAU to support land use innovation. He is a trustee of the Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust.

Come along to learn more about the new tools and approaches to managing land and the impact this will have in the UK and globally.

Tickets and parking are free. Visit this link to book on Eventbrite.

180th Heritage Open Day

Join us for a day of 180th anniversary celebrations, including a lecture about the history of the RAU, activities that all of the family can enjoy, tours of the campus and much more. Food and drink will be available, for guests to purchase refreshments.

Everyone is welcome, no booking necessary.

For more information, please visit Heritage Open Days.

1972-195 REM Grand 50th Reunion

Are you part of this cohort? Please get in touch with us for your 50th Grand Reunion. Plans include a lovely drinks reception and dinner. Email alumni@rau.ac.uk for more information.

Wednesday, 22 October 6:00pm to 8:00pm

180th Lecture Series ~ Making Farming Buzz Again

The fifth 180th anniversary lecture will take place on Wednesday 22 October 2025 in the Boutflour Hall, at the Royal Agricultural University, delivered by Ann Conquest of Land Use Consultant (LUC), Associate Director, Rural Land Management and Duncan Westbury, Dean of Land and Property Management at the Royal Agricultural University.

Ann has over 20 years' experience in implementing and designing Agri-Environment schemes, having previously worked for Natural England. Ann has a proven track record of effective partnerships working to find effective solutions to challenging situations. She has worked extensively with farmers, NGOs, Local Authorities and large landowners and estates on a wide range of projects, aiming to benefit people, nature and the rural economy. 

Professor Duncan Westbury joined the Royal Agricultural University in September 2023 after over 12 years at the University of Worcester and nine years at the University of Reading. He has a very strong background in applying ecological principles to habitat creation and management, with specific research experience on the management of agroecosystems to support biodiversity whilst simultaneously supporting ecosystem services within agricultural landscapes.

Come along to learn what is being done to making farming buzz again, enhance biodiversity and ecosystem services in agriculture landscapes.

Tickets and parking are free. Visit this link to book on Eventbrite.

180th Lecture Series ~ Water, Wastewater, Everywhere... Every drop counts!

The final 180th anniversary lecture will take place on Wednesday 12 November 2025 in the Boutflour Hall, at the Royal Agricultural University, delivered by Professor Kiran Tota-Maharaj, RAU Professor of Water Resources Management and Infrastructure, and Andrew Blackhall, CEO Water Research Centre.

Water, wastewater, everywhere… Every drop counts! And every drop connects to our energy industries and food sectors. Did you know the water is deeply connected to our Energy and Food? In this 180th Anniversary Lecture Series, in partnership with the Water Research Centre Ltd (WRc), we'll explore Microbial Electrosynthesis (MES), as a game-changer and revolutionary technology. Imagine microbes and electricity transforming wastewater into valuable resources, addressing the challenges of the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus. Uncovering how these fascinating technologies clean water, generate energy, and can even produce food, maximising the potential of our precious water resources.

Professor Kiran Tota-Maharaj is a distinguished engineer, academic, and environmental leader whose career is dedicated to advancing sustainable water resources management. Currently, Professor of Water Resources Management and Infrastructure at the Royal Agricultural University (RAU) and Technical Director for Water, Wastewater and Environmental Engineering at the Water Research Centre Ltd (WRc), he effectively bridges industry and academia through collaborative research, practice, and education. 

Andy Brackhall will be presenting on the following topic: River Deep, Mountain AI: Research Driven, Artificial Intelligence for a Sustainable Future. Currently, Andy is Managing Director at the Water Research Centre (WRc). He is an Environmental Scientist, with a background in Automotive Engineering. He holds a Master’s in Business and is a Chartered Director. 

Come along to hear their extensive knowledge of water operations and learn about innovative solutions for sustainable water resource management.

Tickets and parking are free. Visit this link to book on Eventbrite.