The University of Gloucestershire, through the Countryside and Community Research Institute (CCRI), is a delivery partner within the Defra Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Framework. The framework provides Defra and its Arm’s Length Bodies with access to specialist monitoring, evaluation and learning expertise across a range of environmental, rural and policy themes.
CCRI is part of a consortium led by ICF, which has been appointed to deliver work under Lots 1-4: Climate Change & the Environment, Natural Environment, Marine & Fisheries, and Food, Farming, Agriculture & Countryside. For Lot 5, Government & Governance, CCRI is part of a consortium led by Ecorys.
Through these partnerships, CCRI contributes specialist expertise in evaluation, rural development, environmental governance, stakeholder engagement, socio-economic research, policy analysis and evidence synthesis. Our interdisciplinary approach combines academic rigour with practical policy insight, supporting Defra’s commitment to evidence-based decision-making and continuous learning.
Lot 1: Climate Change & the Environment
Defra Focus
The Climate Change & the Environment lot focuses on monitoring, evaluation and learning activities that support the transition to a more sustainable and resilient future. This includes work relating to climate change mitigation and adaptation, decarbonisation, net zero, air and water quality, pollution, waste and recycling, resource management, sustainability, and flood and coastal erosion risk management. The lot also encompasses environmental monitoring, land use, coastal processes and access to the natural environment.
Our Expertise
The University of Gloucestershire and CCRI have extensive experience supporting climate and environmental policy through applied research, monitoring and evaluation. Our work includes climate adaptation and mitigation, net-zero transitions, land-use change, natural capital, environmental governance, and the socio-economic impacts of environmental policy. Recent projects have examined the impacts of land-use change in rural communities, tree planting and woodland creation programmes, and local authority approaches to achieving net-zero objectives. Our researchers combine social science, environmental science and policy analysis to generate evidence that supports effective environmental decision-making.
Lot 2: Natural Environment
Defra Focus
The Natural Environment lot supports evidence generation and learning relating to biodiversity, ecosystems and nature recovery. Its scope spans species and habitat conservation, forestry, woodland, peatland, soil health, ecology, geodiversity and archaeology, alongside the monitoring of protected landscapes, habitats and species. Activities may include field surveys, ecological monitoring, habitat assessments, remote sensing and innovative approaches such as environmental DNA and acoustic monitoring. The purpose of this lot is to provide robust evidence on the condition of the natural environment and the effectiveness of interventions designed to restore, enhance and protect it for future generations.
Our Expertise
CCRI and University researchers have a strong track record in biodiversity, ecosystem services, nature recovery and landscape management. Our work spans species and habitat conservation, woodland and peatland management, ecological monitoring, soil health, nature-based solutions and environmental stewardship schemes. We have delivered research and evaluation projects for organisations including Defra and Natural England, helping to assess the effectiveness of interventions designed to enhance biodiversity, improve ecosystem resilience and support landscape-scale environmental recovery.
Relevant Projects
- A Review of Agri-Environment Options for Water Meadow Management
- Threatened Species Supplement
- Feasibility study for regular monitoring and evaluation survey
- Comparison of the effectiveness of AB15 2-year legume fallow options in CS and NUM3 legume fallow action in SFI
- Standard Evaluation Framework: Measuring the Impact of Outdoor Interventions on Health
- Contribution of Agri-environment Schemes to Environmental Targets
- Monitoring soil health for the evaluation of Agri-Environment Scheme outcomes
- Understanding causes of under-grazing to help address barriers to AES uptake and increase effective implementation of conservation grazing
- CaBA Evaluation Initiation
- Appraisal of Protected Landscapes
Lot 3: Marine & Fisheries
Defra Focus
The Marine & Fisheries lot covers monitoring, evaluation and learning across the UK’s marine environment and fisheries sector. Areas of focus include marine policy, sustainable fishing, aquaculture, seafood supply chains, aquatic animal health, maritime policy and the management of coastal economies. The lot also addresses wider challenges such as biodiversity loss, marine pollution, climate change and ocean processes, alongside the implementation of international treaties and trade agreements affecting the marine sector. Work commissioned through this lot helps ensure that marine resources are managed sustainably while supporting thriving coastal communities and industries.
Our Expertise
While the University’s primary strengths lie in rural, environmental and land-based policy research, our expertise in environmental governance, natural resource management, sustainability transitions, stakeholder engagement and socio-economic evaluation provides a strong foundation for marine and fisheries-related monitoring and evaluation. Our interdisciplinary approach enables us to assess policy effectiveness, stakeholder impacts, governance arrangements and behavioural change across complex environmental systems, including those affecting coastal communities and natural resources.
Relevant Projects
- Socio-cultural mapping of fishing grounds in English waters
- Fisheries Management Plans Evaluation
- Fishing Industry Social Survey 2026
Lot 4: Food, Farming, Agriculture & Countryside
Defra Focus
This lot focuses on the monitoring and evaluation of policies, programmes and interventions affecting food systems, agriculture, farming and the countryside. It includes sustainable food systems, agri-food supply chains, food security, consumer behaviour, animal health and welfare, crop performance, agronomy, nutrient management and agri-environment schemes. The lot also covers landscape conservation, countryside stewardship, land management and the protection and enhancement of nationally important landscapes. Evaluation and learning activities within this lot provide evidence to support productive, resilient and environmentally sustainable farming and food systems, while helping policymakers understand the impacts of interventions across rural communities and businesses.
Our Expertise
This is one of CCRI’s longest-established areas of excellence. The Institute is recognised internationally for its work on agricultural policy, rural development, agri-food systems, sustainable farming, land management and countryside governance. Researchers have evaluated agri-environment schemes, explored sustainable food systems, assessed rural and farming policy impacts, and supported evidence-based decision-making for government and international organisations. Recent projects include evaluations of Defra-funded programmes, research into sustainable agriculture, food system resilience, woodland creation, and assessments of the EU Common Agricultural Policy.
Relevant Projects
- Establishing the Influence of Nature Connectedness on Agri-Environment Scheme Uptake and Delivery in England
- Socio-economic Impacts in Rural Communities of Land Use Change
- Farming in Protected Landscapes Evaluation
- Maximising impact of Agri-Environment Monitoring
Lot 5: Government & Governance
Defra Focus
The Government & Governance lot provides cross-cutting monitoring, evaluation and learning support across Defra’s policy portfolio. It focuses on the effectiveness of regulation, governance arrangements, policymaking, public engagement and decision-making processes. Areas of work include environmental regulation, economic and distributional impacts, trade and supply chains, innovation, green finance, local and central government, community cohesion, health and wellbeing benefits, and wider societal outcomes. This lot is particularly concerned with understanding how policies operate in practice, how they influence behaviour and decision-making, and how evidence can be used to improve policy effectiveness and public value across government.
Our Expertise
The University of Gloucestershire has significant expertise in policy evaluation, governance, stakeholder engagement, public participation and socio-economic analysis. CCRI researchers work at the interface between government, communities, businesses and environmental systems, helping organisations understand the effectiveness of policies, programmes and regulatory approaches. Our work includes evaluating governance arrangements, analysing policy impacts, assessing community responses to change, supporting evidence-based policymaking and facilitating learning across complex programmes and portfolios. This capability is underpinned by extensive experience delivering research and evaluation for UK Government departments, European institutions, local authorities and third-sector organisations.
Relevant Projects
- Rural England Prosperity Fund Evaluation
- Public Sector Food Procurement
- Evaluation of Nature for Climate Fund tree planting programme
- Lead Environmental Regulator Pilot Evaluation
- Governance of Protected Landscapes: Co-designing values, culture and standards to boost outcomes for people and nature
- Review and trial of menu design options to inform school food pilot
