The Community Network for Vector-Borne Plant Viruses (CONNECTED) is a vector-borne disease network based at the University of Bristol, UK.
We build multidisciplinary research capacity to tackle crop diseases spread by insects.
Our research includes…
We have trained approximately…
We create resilience against climate change
- Creating multi-disciplinary collaborations with researchers in areas of climate modelling, food security, nutrition and human health
- We offer opportunities to work with the communities and researchers directly affected by various aspects of climate change
- More research leads to better tools to tackle insect-borne viruses, strengthening farmers’ ability to combat crop diseases and putting them a step ahead
Watch this short animation to find out what we do and the impact we have had so far.
How the network operates
The Network is managed by an Executive Group working with a Management Board.
CONNECTED is guided by a Management Board of international experts in crop and agricultural research, plant health regulations, innovation and impact.
The Executive Group is made up of Network Directors Professor Gary Foster (University of Bristol), Doctor Andy Bailey (University of Bristol) and Professor Neil Boonham (Newcastle University), along with Network Team Managers Dr Diane Hird and Dr Nina Ockendon-Powell (University of Bristol).
Funding
CONNECTED is supported by grant funding and donations from a variety of sources. The core network is currently funded by the Bristol Centre for Agricultural Innovation (BCAI).
Previous network activities have been additionally funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) International, with funds from the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF), as well as the British Society for Plant Pathology (BSPP), the Elizabeth Blackwell Institute, University of Bristol’s GCRF Impact Accelerator Account, and University of Bristol’s Faculty of Life Sciences.
If you can support CONNECTED in tackling insect-spread plant diseases, please visit our Support Us page
Watch our new film to find out more about CONNECTED and our plans for the future.
