Creating real-world impact: The University of Exeter and the National Trust

The University of Exeter is proud to be a long-standing partner of the National Trust. As featured in the Trust’s Annual Research Report 2024–2025, our collaboration delivers practical, interdisciplinary solutions to some of the UK’s most pressing environmental, social and cultural challenges.

From nature recovery and climate resilience to health inequalities and heritage storytelling, we’re co-developing evidence-based approaches that make a difference.

This includes embedding researchers within the Trust to shape strategy and improve practice. A Heritage Adaptation Impact Fellow is reviewing climate guidance to ensure heritage policy aligns with operational realities. Exeter data scientists are enhancing land-use decisions by integrating historic environment insights with AI tools, and a new monitoring strategy is being developed to maximise the long-term impact of wetland restoration.

The following projects demonstrate how this partnership translates research into meaningful, measurable outcomes for people, nature and heritage:

RENEW

A flagship example is RENEW, a NERC-funded programme co-led by Exeter. As part of this, the ExCASES team, based at the University and the National Trust, works collaboratively to address emerging challenges in biodiversity renewal.

Over the past year, six themed ‘missions’ have brought together more than 110 stakeholders to address complex challenges, from deer management and democratic participation to dog walking and biodiversity.

The Future of Biodiversity Renewal mission, presented at the 2024 Biodiversity Parliament, highlighted sector priorities for future policy.

Fair Game

The Fair Game project is a collaboration with FareShare and others exploring how surplus venison can support food justice and biodiversity. This project won the 2024 Archaeological Achievement Award.

NetZeroPlus

NetZeroPlus supports the UK’s net zero goals by exploring trees, land use and carbon storage.

In partnership with the National Trust, Met Office and Forest Research, we’re modelling emissions, carbon, biodiversity and water quality, as well as developing AI-based planning tools to support sustainable land-use decisions.

Valuing Outdoor Culture and Heritage Capital (VOCul)

Through the VOCul project – part of the DCMS/AHRC Culture and Heritage Capital programme – Exeter is helping assess the value of outdoor cultural heritage.

We’re co-developing a taxonomy of heritage benefits and services. A national workshop in November 2024 helped refine the framework, and a pilot at Aira Force tested how visitors respond to interpretation, offering a model for evidencing cultural value.

Centre for Net Positive Health and Climate Solutions

The National Trust is a partner in Exeter’s Centre for Net Positive Health and Climate Solutions, which explores how environmental change impacts human health.

The Centre connects researchers, policymakers and practitioners to address air pollution, heat stress, biodiversity loss and future pandemics.

HistoryScapes

In partnership with Exeter researchers, HistoryScapes is a GPS-triggered app that brings selected National Trust places to life through the voices of historical working-class characters.

The app offers immersive trails at Saltram, Quarry Bank and the Devil’s Punch Bowl, connecting visitors with the lived histories of these landscapes.

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