During this time, research and academic staff numbers have also risen steadily, with FTE staff more than doubling (now sitting at 72.8). Numbers of PhD students have tripled in the same time period. Strategic, senior academic appointments have been made to bolster expertise in key areas – systems biology, digital innovation, global-change biology, nutrition and food integrity. A Director of IDR,Professor Aedin Cassidy, was recently appointed to further catalyse this area.

IGFS follows suit with a strong culture of spinouts, KTPs and DTPs with industry partners. IGFS is currently developing a dedicated space adjacent to its new building as an enterprise hub to strengthen the enterprise dimension.

Researchers interact closely with local industry through the £5M Agri-food QUEST Competence Centre and internationally via the €400M EIT-Food (European Institute of Innovation and Technology). IGFS has also secured 5 x BBSRC Industry Partnerships and 1 x BBSRC Link award, 13 KTPs and more than 18 case-studentships with industry partners.

Key figures from IGFS meet regularly with the Industrial Advisory Board (IAB) to discuss strategic direction and developments, including shared research. IGFS has also recently appointed a number of honorary 'Professors of Practice' from the business community to further strengthen the academic-enterprise interface.

Pictured, (left) Professor Chris Elliott and (right) Professor Nigel Scollan with (middle) Declan Billington, CEO of Thompson & Sons feed mills and former Vice-Chair of the NI Food and Drink Association (NIFDA)

Further investments include the ASSET Technology Centre – designated a ‘Centre of Expertise’ by the Food Authenticity Network (UK DEFRA, 2020) and having industry accreditation (rare for a university lab) ISO/IEC 17025 (2019).

ASSET comprises an analytical chemistry/mass spectrometry research hub (£10M); specialist proteomic and biosensor facilities (£2.5M); and a dedicated research facility investigating innovative cold-plasma technology to reduce chemical and antibiotic use in the food chain (AgriPlas), the first of its kind in Europe (£0.4M).

More about our Facilities

IGFS is also involved in the ‘NI Diamond’ initiative, an ecosystem in which government, business, society and the knowledge base work together pooling goals, funds, risks, responsibilities and competencies in agri-food. In parallel, IGFS is working towards an all-Ireland agri-food hub to consolidate expertise in food integrity on the island.

Links with UK (and other) government agencies have been significantly bolstered in the areas of food safety, food fraud and public health in the wake of the Elliott Review, commissioned by the UK government after the 2014 horsemeat scandal and led by Professor Chris Elliott OBE of IGFS. 

The Elliott Review delivered eight recommendations, which were accepted and acted on by the UK government, chief among which were the establishment of the:

(i) National Food Crime Unit, covering England, Wales and Northern Ireland

(ii) Scottish Food Crime and Incidents Unit

(iii) Food Industry Intelligence Network 

Pictured (l-r), Professor Chris Elliott IGFS; Former UK Health Secretary, Rt Hon Matt Hancock MP; Professor Stuart Elborn QUB

Foremost among these is a formal, Strategic Alliance with the Agri-Food Biosciences Institute (AFBI) in NI, seeking to accelerate building and sharing capacity, both in infrastructure and people, addressing key challenges in agriculture and food, and supporting policy, industry and society.

A similar arrangement is in place with the £30M Austrian Competence Centre for Feed and Food Quality, Safety & Innovation.

Find out more about our partnerships. Pictured, Dr Elizabeth Magowan, Director of Sustainable AgriFood, AFBI

The volunteers have also developed a wormery – a first for Queen’s! - to help reduce food waste generated by users of our building and make compost to fertilise green spaces aimed at improving biodiversity around campus.