Partnership strengthens ties between Nottingham and Adelaide

The University of Nottingham and the University of Adelaide have formally launched the Adelaide-Nottingham Alliance.

The Adelaide-Nottingham Alliance seeks to develop broader and deeper collaboration in strategic areas of focus and capability at both institutions.

Together, the two universities will advance research, education and governance in three core areas: global food systems, intelligent health, and a sustainable future.

"I want to express my thanks to University of Nottingham’s Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Shearer West CBE and her team, for hosting our delegation and formalising the Adelaide-Nottingham Alliance,” said Professor Peter Høj AC, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Adelaide.

“With the signing of the Engagement Plan, we can together make a significant local and global impact,” said Professor Peter Høj AC, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Adelaide.”

Building on years of collaboration in many areas, the two universities launched a collaborative PhD programme that has comprised more than 30 students since 2016 and has seen the graduation of eight doctors thus far.

Professor Shearer West CBE, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Nottingham, said: “The University of Adelaide has long been an important partner to the University of Nottingham, and in recent years our partnership has grown significantly to become a strategic partnership which will provide new opportunities for our staff and students to engage in joint teaching, learning, and research initiatives.

“Together we become more than the sum of our parts, delivering world-changing impact through our research and education. I look forward to seeing our collaboration grow further and to visiting Adelaide in 2023 to launch a number of key partnership initiatives."

The two partners have collaborated on multiple funding awards including a £2.8m BBSRC Responsive Mode Link grant led by the University of Nottingham and the recently announced AU$90 million University of Adelaide-led Centre for Excellence in Plants for Space in which Nottingham researchers will play a key role.

Through the Alliance, Adelaide and Nottingham will expand collaboration on:

Global Food Systems: A multi-disciplinary approach will be pursued to develop global food systems to support a growing world population with healthy food in a constantly changing environment. This incorporates current engagement via the Global Agrifood Hub and support by the collaborative PhD programme

Intelligent Health: New tools, innovative technologies and approaches to health and health systems will be developed.

Sustainable Futures: Experts will work together on securing a sustainable environment for the future by addressing key issues around climate change, renewable energy and resources and sustainable cities.

The Adelaide-Nottingham Alliance was formally signed into action with an accompanying engagement plan by both universities’ Vice-Chancellors at the University of Nottingham on 18 November.