Scientists from our top-rated Computer Science and Biosciences Departments have secured a major European funding to lead ambitious international research projects focused on the future of farming and nature.
Dr Amir Atapour-Abarghouei from our Department of Computer Science and Dr Lena Riabinina from our Department of Biosciences have successfully won two Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Staff Exchanges awards, worth a combined €3.56 million.
FARMAR: combining tradition and technology
Dr Atapour-Abarghouei is the coordinator of the €1.79 million FARMAR project, with Dr Riabinina as co-lead.
FARMAR aims to bring together traditional farming knowledge and modern artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics.
Led by Dr Atapour-Abarghouei, the project includes colleagues from our Departments of Computer Science, Biosciences, History, and Management and Marketing.
It also involves universities and non-academic partners across the UK, Europe, Asia, Africa and North America.
The project's goal is to capture traditional farming practices from different parts of the world and use this knowledge to design AI-powered tools and lightweight farming robots. These technologies will be tailored for small-scale farmers.
FARMAR will also explore how new farming technologies can be introduced in ways that are socially and economically acceptable in different countries and communities.
Alongside new digital tools and robotic systems, the project will create a strong international network across its 19 partner organisations and support the exchange of skills between researchers and practitioners.
NEWBEE: supporting wild bees in agriculture
Dr Riabinina leads the €1.77 million NEWBEE project, with Dr Atapour-Abarghouei as co-lead.
NEWBEE focuses on improving the use of wild bees in crop farming in ways that support nature.
Led by Dr Riabinina, the project will develop a simple camera-based system to monitor free-flying bees in fields.
Researchers will study different bee species and their behaviour, test practical ways to attract them to crops, and provide clear legal and economic guidance for growers.
The project spans biology, computer science, marketing, sociology, psychology and law, and includes 12 academic and four non-academic partners across Europe and beyond.
Both projects bring together experts from across Durham and a wide range of international partners.
