Annual Research Conference once again a success

Now in its tenth year, the conference was split into three main halls, covering the College's three research areas - Welfare of Managed Animals, Sport Performance and Sustainable Plant Cultivation and Arboriculture. Various topics related to these main areas were suggested and staff and students of Myerscough College, many of them current PhD candidates, used the day to present some of their latest research and findings.

In addition, there was once again a range of specialist keynote speakers invited to the event. This year they included; Cindy Milburn, Director of Animal Welfare & Outreach at the International Fund for Animal Welfare; Dr Paul Worsfold, Senior Lecturer at the English Institute for Sport; Professor Ian Dodd, Professor of Sustainable Agriculture at Lancaster University; Dr Kevin Butt, Reader in Ecology at UCLan; Dr Rachel White, a Lecturer in Equine at Myerscough College; and Ian Bateman, the Head of England Futsal.

Myerscough is the leading UK college for applied research in the areas of plant science, animal welfare and sports performance, with the annual conference coordinated by our Director of Research, Dr David Elphinstone. He said: ‘’We are one of the largest providers of these specialist subjects in the country and research plays a key role in this.

‘’Our mission statement says that we will reinforce our academic activities with a culture of learning and with a growing body of research that has a significant profile regionally, nationally and internationally‘’.

‘’This latest conference highlighted the role that research plays in underpinning the education we provide and imparting a research ethos among our higher education students.’’

Mick Cottam, Assistant Principal, Higher Education at Myerscough College, said: ‘’It was an excellent event and the speakers were really well received. Many attendees commented on how well the research had come across. All sessions were extremely well attended and external attendees were clearly impressed at the standard and extent of research.’’

Principal of Myerscough College, Ann Turner said: ‘I think what’s exciting is the shear commitment of both staff and students towards the whole concept of research and its essential part it plays in our learning experience.’’

‘’Our latest QAA inspection report named research as one of our many areas of good practice, and I think that kind of recognition shows the importance the sector places on informed teaching.’’