EVENTS & WORKSHOPS
NUCNet will deliver a programme of workshops, roundtables, and an annual conference, bringing together stakeholders from across the UK food system. These events aim to guide the direction of UK research into the adoption of NUCs by identifying current challenges, barriers, and opportunities.
Event Highlights Members Won’t Want to Miss!
Annual conference
The conference is open to all network members and will showcase the diversity of membership through invited talks and posters from different sectors. The goals being to identify novel questions and opportunities afforded by the NUCS which can be explored through targeted meetings, to identify and prioritise research gaps, and offer direction for NUCNet pump-priming funding.
Further information about the 2026 conference will be available soon.
Farmer Days
Each July, the NUCNet hosts two dedicated Farmer Days at NIAB (Cambridge) and the University of Reading.
Next Farmer Days will be in July 2027.
Scroll down this page to read about our 2026 Farmer Days.
Network In-Focus Meetings
NUCNet members are invited to join small focus group online meetings, with topics chosen by the network and sessions facilitated by members of the NUCNet Management Board.
See below for more information. Meeting schedule and sign-up form will be available soon.
Upcoming events
In-Focus: NUCNet Crop & Research Question Meetings
About
NUCNet hosts a series of focused Single Crop or Research Question meetings throughout the year, designed to bring members together for open, constructive discussion and collaboration.
Held approximately three times per year, these online sessions create space for honest conversation, debate, and idea exchange across the network.
This Online Meeting Code of Conduct outlines the standards of behaviour expected of all members.
What to expect
Each session (typically 60–90 minutes) is structured to maximise engagement and impact:
- A brief introduction to NUCNet
- Discussion of three key “hot topics”
- Open debate and collaborative input from participants
- Identification of actions, next steps, and potential collaborators
Meetings are facilitated by a member of the NUCNet Management Board, ensuring focused and productive discussion.
Who can attend?
All NUCNet members are warmly invited to join and contribute.
Why attend?
These sessions provide an opportunity to:
- Identify opportunities for collaboration and funding
- Share insights and perspectives
- Shape emerging research directions
- Build connections across the network
We’re finalising the meeting schedule and will share it shortly.
Members can register using the sign-up link which will sent to NUCNet members.
Past Events
NUCNet Farmer Days 2026 showcasing Novel and Underutilised Crops
In July, NUCNet held its first network events, hosting two Farmer Days aimed at showcasing Novel and Underutilised Crops (NUCs). Despite exceptionally hot weather and the pressures of the early harvest season, both events attracted strong attendance from growers, researchers, and industry stakeholders. Continue reading…
NEWS
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Why Partner with NUCNet?
Partnerships between industry and research networks such as NUCNet create value for all involved. Organisations benefit from access to evidence-based insights, emerging innovations, collaborative funding opportunities, and connections with businesses, policymakers, NGOs, and other key stakeholders. They also have the…
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NUCNet Announces Early Career Researcher Management Board(ECR-MB)
We are delighted to announce the appointment of the NUCNet Early Career Researcher Management Board (ECR-MB). Following a strong response from across our community, we are pleased to welcome Ahsan, Aiswarya, Agnes and Swati and look forward to the impact…
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Grow the network
Help us grow the NUCNet community. Please share the text below with your colleagues, professional networks, and through any newsletters or communication channels you have access to. NUCNet, the Novel and Underutilised Crop Network Climate change could cost the UK…
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NUCNet Farmer Days 2026 showcasing Novel and Underutilised Crops
In July, NUCNet held its first network events, hosting two Farmer Days aimed at showcasing Novel and Underutilised Crops (NUCs). Despite exceptionally hot weather and the pressures of the early harvest season, both events attracted strong attendance from growers, researchers,…
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Warm‑weather chickpea dreams are a fantasy without policies that enable production
A clear closing message, from Roger Vickers – “policies must sustain action throughout the supply chain. Growers will never be able to make meaningful change to the food supply chain alone. Mere suggestions of alternative cropping opportunities are not enough.” Read…
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Call for Crop Group Leads (ECRs)
Are you interested in a particular crop group – such as legumes and pulses, cereals and grains, vegetables, or fruits? We are seeking Early Career Researchers to act as crop group leads. In this role, you will help initiate a…
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Call for Volunteers: ECR Management Board (ECR-MB)
The call is now open for Early Career Researchers (ECRs) who are members of NUCNet to join the ECR Management Board (ECR-MB). This is an exciting opportunity to help shape the direction of NUCNet, contribute to decision-making, and play an…
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New Crops for the UK project
New Crops for the UK project has had Mark Chapman, NUCNet Project Lead, busy sending out seeds to 80 schools in the past few weeks. Mark is challenging schools to grow buckwheat, sunflowers, sweetcorn, chickpeas and other novel crops and…
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LifeLab
LifeLab, teenagers in Southampton are leading the way in tackling ultra‑processed foods through a collaborative research project with LifeLab. As part of the initiative, they explored the health impacts of ultra‑processed foods and developed practical solutions, including healthier “food swaps.”…
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Growing Wild Citizens at School
Growing Wild Citizens at School is a collaborative project working with primary schools in Southampton to help children grow their own food and learn about sustainability. Through hands-on activities, pupils explored how food is produced, the importance of biodiversity, and their…
