Conference: Regenerating the British Countryside, From Evidence to Action
Image Credit: Lillian Bixler
One-Day Conference | Friday 18 September 2026 | 09:00–17:00
Department of Engineering, Cambridge · Free to attend · In-person and online · Booking required.
Brought to you in collaboration with Cambridge Philosophical Society and as part of the Cambridge University Alumni Festival
About the Event
This conference shares insights from our multi-year study into the future of UK landscapes, with a focus on three iconic UK regions: the Fens, the Cairngorms, and the Lake District. Bringing together research on the intersections between nature, climate, local economies, and communities, exploring how findings can be translated into policy and action on the ground.
What's On
- Talks & Panel Discussions: Presentations on the latest research findings, with Q&A sessions
- Research Posters: Engage directly with researchers and explore their work in depth
- Community Art Displays: Original artwork from local artists reflecting the human connection to these landscapes
- Collaborative Conversations: Time to discuss how ongoing research can best serve those managing and living in the British countryside
Attending
In person: Free to attend. Register on Eventbrite. If you have had an email invitation from the CLR, please register via the link in your email.
Online: The conference will be live-streamed. Register on Eventbrite for online attendance.
Accessibility: The venue has disabled access. Please get in touch to discuss any access requirements: clr_admin@plantsci.cam.ac.uk.
Conference Programme
- 9:00 Arrival and Registration
- 9:30 Welcome and Opening Reflections, Prof. Bhaskar Vira, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education and Environmental Sustainability, University of Cambridge
- 9:40 Landscape Regeneration in the UK, Prof. David Coomes, Director of Centre for Earth Observation and Co-Director of the Centre for Landscape Regeneration
- 9:55 Landscape Change Is Social Change, Prof. Chris Sandbrook, and Dr Annette Green, Dept of Geography, University of Cambridge, Centre for Landscape Regeneration
- 10:20 Creative Interlude: Fenland Conversations, Poppy Szaybo, Centre for Landscape Regeneration, and Simon Keep, CLIP, CLR Sound Artist in Residence
- 10:30 Informing Land Use Decisions Through Scenario Modelling, Dr Joshua Copping, RSPB and Centre for Landscape Regeneration
- 10:55 Researcher Showcase: One Minute, One Slide, One Key Insight
- 11.15 Coffee Break
- 11.45 Change at Scale: Tessera and the Future of Environmental Monitoring, Prof. David Coomes, and Dr Aland Chan, Dept of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Centre for Landscape Regeneration
- 12.10 Biodiversity Principles in Working Landscapes, Dr Jack Shutt, Dept of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Centre for Landscape Regeneration and another speaker TBC
- 12:35 Morning Reflections, Prof. Emily Shuckburgh OBE
- 12:-1:45 Lunch Break (lunch only provided for speakers and invite guests)
- 13:15 Arrival and Registration for afternoon-only delegates
- 13:45 Welcome and Opening Reflections, Dame Fiona Reynolds DBE, Chair of the CLR Advisory Board
- 13:55 From Research to Real-World Regeneration, Dr Helen Driver, Research Programme Manager, Centre for Landscape Regeneration
- 14.05 The Fens: Balancing Food Production, Climate Resilience and Nature Recovery, Prof. Laura Diaz Anadon, Dept of Land Economy Centre for Landscape Regeneration
- 14.35 The Cairngorms: A 200-Year Vision for Landscape Change, Prof. David Coomes, Co-Director, Centre for Landscape Regeneration
- 15:05 Researcher Showcase: One Minute, One Slide, One Key Insight
- 15:20 Coffee Break
- 15:50 The Lake District: Navigating Change in Cultural Landscapes, Prof. Emily Shuckburgh OBE, Chief Scientific Advisor to DESNZ and Co-Director, Centre for Landscape Regeneration
- 16:20 What Next for Policy and Practice? Panel Discussion Session, chaired by Dame Fiona Reynolds
- 17:00 Conference close
Venue
Constance Tipper Lecture Theatre Department of Engineering Trumpington Street, Cambridge CB2 1PZ
The entrance is on Trumpington Street at the end of Scroope Terrace, marked by an aluminium sculpture.
Contact
If you have any questions or need more information, please contact clr_admin@plantsci.cam.ac.uk