Eden Project and University of Exeter renew their strategic partnership

The University of Exeter and the Eden Project have extended their long-standing partnership with a new strategic agreement focused on tackling the planetary emergency.

The renewal of their agreement, first signed in 2014, covers a range of research, education, public engagement, innovation, and policy-influencing initiatives. It will aim to expand the scope of their work, moving from knowledge creation to leading and inspiring measurable change.

The leaders of the two institutions signed a new Memorandum of Understanding at a ceremony in the Eden Project's Mediterranean Biome on 15 April.

Andy Jasper, Eden Project CEO, said: “Strengthening this partnership with the University of Exeter comes at a significant time as the Eden Project celebrates 25 years. As an educational charity, we provoke curiosity and champion creativity. Fostering regenerative mindsets is a shared value, and with this renewed commitment, we look forward to turning knowledge into meaningful actions and accelerating solutions that help communities, ecosystems and our gardens thrive.â€

Professor Lisa Roberts, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Exeter, added: “Our partnership with the Eden Project is truly distinctive. Through collaboration on storytelling, nature-based solutions and the circular economy, we have created engaging public events and activities that have taken our research out into the world.

“This renewed agreement signifies our commitment to working ever more closely, building upon our world-class strengths to tackle the challenges of global climate change and biodiversity loss.â€

The two institutions say the new agreement is based on a joint vision – one of reconnecting people with the rest of the natural world, driving nature recovery and working with nature to enhance growth, health and security.

It sets out four key institutional pillars for future work: Planet and People; Nature-Based Solutions; Tech, Green Economy and Innovation; and Culture, Communicating, Convening and Impact.

Among the priorities the partnership will explore, include:

• Scalable Nature-Based Solutions beyond net zero
• Citizen science embedded within visitor engagement
• Nature connection and health research
• Regenerative business transformation
• Energy systems innovation and demonstration
• Executive education
• Creative and cultural nature and climate engagement
• Measurable, policy-relevant impact

The partners say the new agreement will build on more than a decade of innovative work, including the Greengage project to understand the impact of socially prescribed activities in nature, the Eden Geothermal project and students engaging with the Eden Project as a living, applied study site.

The institutions have collaborated to support research and training for MSc students focused on pollinator conservation, a masterclass on developing skills for the future green economy, as well as to organise field trips for Business School and Environmental Humanities students. And they have also supported artistic activities in Cornwall, such as the Creative Peninsula network, and the three-month residency with London-based artist Iman Datoo, Making Kin with Soil, focused on soil and global food security.