Sustainable Farming Special Interest Group (SIG) 2026
14 July @ 10:00 – 16:00
Sustainable Farming Special Interest Group (SIG)
Date: Tuesday 14 July (10:00 – 16:00)
Venue: Rothamsted Research, Harpenden
To celebrate the new expanded Sustainable Farming SIG, this event brings together sustainable agriculture and forestry with pollination and parasitoids, under the theme ‘co-benefits and trade-offs’. It’s an opportunity to explore the different needs of insects in a productive landscape, and how to apply entomology towards systems that work for both society and nature.
Join us for:
- Two keynotes talks
- Flash-talks
- Posters
- A tractor tour of Rothamsted Research
- A visit to insect survey traps for long-term experiments
- Plenty of time for networking and discussion
Registration and call for abstracts is now OPEN below!
Learn more about our Sustainable Farming Special Interest Group and the Convenors.
Keynote Speakers
Dr Jo Staley, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology
Field boundaries and beyond: do agri-environment schemes support insect pollinators at multiple spatial scales?
Jo’s research focusses on large-scale field surveys to investigate biodiversity responses to habitat management, agricultural practices and climate change.
Jo currently leads the Landscape-scale monitoring of mobile species to agri-environment schemes project, monitoring the responses of insects, birds and bats to agri-environment management, applied at different spatial scales and across multiple agricultural landscapes in England. Her projects also focus on hedgerow ecology, using field experiments and surveys to test the effects of hedgerow management, rejuvenation, structure and age on provision of resources for wildlife and insect assemblages. She has previously worked on biodiversity responses to regenerative farming and sustainable agriculture.
Prof. Nicola Randall, Harper Adams University
Biography and talk title to follow.
Sponsorship & Exhibition Opportunities
We would love to hear from you if you are interested in partnering with us on this event. See packages available below, or contact fran.fleming@royensoc.co.uk for more information.
Abstract submission
We are looking for abstract submissions for posters and 5-minute flash talks (3 minute talks and 2 minutes for Q&A) to align with the SIG theme. The deadline for abstract submission is 5pm on Friday 29th May.
Travel & Accommodation
Rothamsted Research, West Common, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2JQ
Travelling by train:
Harpenden is 28 mins by Train from London St Pancras. Taxis are available on arrival at Harpenden station or it is a 10-15 min walk to Rothamsted Research.
Travelling by road:
Take J9 off the M1 and follow signs to Redbourn. Go past the Hertfordshire County Showground on your right. At the roundabout take the first exit and follow the B487 until the next roundabout. At the roundabout take the first exit onto the A1081, Rothamsted Research is signposted on your left.
The Conference Centre is a short walk from the entrance on your left. Ample free parking is available (follow the signs for conference parking).
Accommodation suggestions:
The Old Cock Inn Coaching House – 0.9 miles (limited rooms available)
Hilcote House Bed & Breakfast – 2 miles
Hyde Mill Bed & Breakfast – 3.1 miles
Aubrey Park Hotel – 4 miles
Luton Hoo Hotel – 4.2 miles
Clarion Collection Hotel – 4.7 miles
Premier Inn, Luton Town Centre – 7 miles
Registration
Note: By registering for and attending this event, you acknowledge that photographs and/or video recordings may be taken. These images may be used by the Royal Entomological Society for promotional, educational, and archival purposes, including publication on our website, social media, and printed materials. If you do not wish to be photographed or filmed, please inform a member of the organising team on arrival or contact us in advance at events@royensoc.co.uk.
Registration Deadline: 17:00 (BST), 1 July
| Standard registration cost | |
| RES Student | £30 |
| RES Member | £60 |
| RES Associate Member or Non Member | £100 |
