
DEFRA - Areas of Research Interest
DEFRA is responsible for safeguarding our natural environment, supporting our world leading food and farming industry, and sustaining a thriving rural economy.
Each Government department has systematically captured their specific research needs through launching their own Areas of Research Interest (ARIs), whilst also issuing calls for evidence and consulting directly with researchers.
The ARI are documents setting out the key research questions confronting government departments. ARI also include information on departmental research systems, research and data publication policies and research and development strategies.
These ARI provide researchers with the opportunity to understand what Departments research needs are in order to aid engagement with policy relevant research. Each Department is releasing its ARI's according to internal timeframes, as such this page is currently incomplete.
Our team works on a number of research projects to deliver policy engagement support. As part of this offer we map our existing projects onto the relevant research questions from government ARIs to form a basis of engagement.
If you would like notification of new ARI's being published please email us stating the Department you are interested in.
If your research falls within the ARI's and you wish to receive support on how best to engage with Departments please contact us here.
DEFRA is responsible for safeguarding our natural environment, supporting our world leading food and farming industry, and sustaining a thriving rural economy.
DHSC is responsible for safeguarding and improving the health and wealth of the nation.
DCMS focuses on the UK’s future as a digital, global leader with innovation, technology and creativity at its economic heart.
DLUHC aims to help create great places to live and work right across the country and to back communities to come together and thrive.
DfE is responsible for children’s services and education, including higher and further education policy, apprenticeships and wider skills in England.
DIT is responsible for promoting UK trade across the world and attracting foreign investment, under the leadership of the Secretary of State for International Trade.
MoD is responsible for the delivery of military capability and operations on land, at sea, in the air and through cyberspace.
DfT is responsible for the infrastructure and transport system improvements.
The Cabinet Office operates at the centre of government leading to its involvement in a broad and diverse portfolio, as reflected in these ARIs.
BEIS works to ensure that the economy grows strongly in all parts of the country, based on a robust industrial strategy, and that the UK has secure energy supplies that are reliable, affordable and clean.
FCO is responsible for the relations between UK and EU, UK and wider European integration, UK and Overseas Territories as well as global affairs.
MoJ protects and advances the principles of justice.
DWP is responsible to create and maintain an affordable and sustainable welfare system that provides financial security and supports economic growth and improved productivity
HSE is the UK government body with responsibility for overseeing health and safety at work in Great Britain.
FSA is responsible for food safety and hygiene and for protecting consumers’ other interests in relation to food, in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The Home Office plays a fundamental role in the security and economic prosperity of the United Kingdom.
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