For PUBLIC EVENTS at the University please see University Events
To book a place or register interest, email us at exe.u3a.uni.liaison@gmail.com, with names, membership numbers and emails of ALL who wish to attend, including the date of the event in the subject line of your email.
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AN INTRODUCTION TO THE WORK OF THE COUNCIL FOR RURAL POLICY RESEARCH by Professor Matt Lobley, Co-director of CRPR
and SUPPORTING HEALTH AND WELLBEING IN UK FARMING COMMUNITIES by Dr Rebecca Wheeler, (Senior Research Fellow at the CRPR)
Tuesday, 31st March 2026 10.30am-12.30pm
Seminar Room A, Living Systems Building, Streatham Campus (50 max)
The Centre for Rural Policy Research (CRPR) is an inter-disciplinary team of social scientists focussing on social, political and economic issues at the intersection of land, the environment, farming and food systems.
Matt Lobley will give an overview of the extensive research and training being carried out within the centre, and of how its work is informing policy and practice to create more sustainable food systems and rural communities, both in the UK and beyond.
As one of the leading centres in the UK for the study of health and wellbeing in agriculture, the CRPR has gathered extensive evidence and understanding about levels of physical and mental health within farming communities and the social and cultural factors that influence these.
Becca Wheeler will outline some of the findings from this body of research and discuss how the team is extending and deepening this work, including through working with partners to improve preventative services and tailored support for farming people, especially in Devon and Cornwall.
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A VISIT TO THE UNIVERSITY OF EXETER’S VSIMULATORS RESEARCH FACILITY
Postponed - new date awaited
University of Exeter Engineering Research Centre, Anning Road, Exeter Science Park, Clyst Honiton, Exeter EX5 2FN
This unique facility combines a range of tools, including eye tracking, biomedical measuring devices, VR headsets etc, all on a moving platform that can then simulate a range of environments and measure how humans react / adapt / move. The facility has supported several significant healthcare projects to help people with conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, stroke, chronic ankle instability, Meniere’s (a vestibular inner ear condition affecting balance) and others. In addition, the team has worked with engineering consultants and other universities to support structural engineering projects around human response to vibration in office floors and pedestrian footbridges.
Members will have the opportunity to try out the motion platform for themselves and find out about the capabilities of our state-of-the-art facilities. Lunch will be provided.
For more information, please see below the link to the facility’s website and to a video about their healthcare research, featured on ITV Westcountry and BBC Spotlight.
https://www.exeter.ac.uk/research/facilities/vsimulators
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gy2vfjl7gc0
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