OryzaNet | About

Our mission and identity

OryzaNet is a BBSRC-funded international research network dedicated to strengthening rice research through collaboration, coordination, and capacity building.

Rice is a staple food for around half of the world's population and plays a critical role in global food security, nutrition, and livelihoods. As climate change places increasing pressure on rice production systems worldwide, there is an urgent need for innovative, equitable, and internationally connected research.

OryzaNet brings together researchers, social scientists, and industry partners to integrate expertise across disciplines and borders. By connecting people, resources, and knowledge, the network aims to maximise the global impact of UK rice research while contributing meaningfully to international research agendas.

Part of the image collection of the International Rice Research Institute (irri.org)

Activities, outputs, and impact

OryzaNet delivers a coordinated programme of activities designed to support collaboration, innovation, and researcher development across the rice research community.

Connecting and developing the community

OryzaNet brings researchers together through international workshops, conferences, and symposia, connecting UK expertise with global partners. Regular activities include a monthly online seminar series and virtual coffee mornings, creating space for both formal knowledge exchange and informal networking, with strong engagement from Early Career Researchers (ECRs).

Training, mentoring, and leadership

The network supports skills development through training in key and emerging technologies, including genomics, phenomics, gene editing, bioinformatics, and rice cultivation. Mentoring and leadership activities are embedded across the programme, with a particular focus on supporting the next generation of research leaders.

Funding and enabling collaboration

OryzaNet provides targeted funding opportunities to help catalyse new collaborations. These include small grants to initiate international research exchanges and larger pilot projects supporting rice research, mobility, and the development of shared tools or resources.

Responsible research and bioethics

To support equitable and responsible research practice, OryzaNet is developing bioethics training and resources focused on fair international collaboration, access and benefit sharing, and robust research methods. These activities are led by Professor Kate Millar (Director, Centre for Applied Bioethics) and are tailored for ECRs while remaining accessible to all network members.

Shared research infrastructure

OryzaNet is establishing shared research infrastructure to reduce barriers to collaboration, including:

A central seed bank at the University of Nottingham to support seed storage, bulking, cultivation, and access
Gene editing and transformation hubs at Durham University and the University of Essex, providing protocols, training, and transformation resources

Our impact

Together, these activities strengthen the UK rice research landscape, enhance international visibility and engagement, reduce barriers to collaboration and data sharing, and support the development of sustainable, resilient, and nutritious rice production systems worldwide.

Funding, governance, and transparency

OryzaNet is funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and supported by partner universities and research organisations across the UK.

The network is led by an experienced core leadership team and supported by a Steering Committee and an International External Advisory Board, ensuring transparent decision-making, strategic oversight, and broad community representation. The Steering Committee and Advisory Board will be elected and convened in 2026, ensuring that the network evolves in response to the needs and priorities of its members. We are currently accepting expressions of interest for the following roles:

Steering Committee Expressions of Interest

Deadline: 1st May 2026

Submit your expression of interest for the Steering Committee roles.

View OSC EOI details

External Advisory Board Expressions of Interest

Deadline: 1st May 2026

Submit your expression of interest to join the External Advisory Board.

View EAB EOI details

OryzaNet also welcomes engagement and support from industry partners interested in advancing cutting-edge rice research. Opportunities to express interest in supporting network activities are available during registration.

Accessibility, diversity, and inclusion

OryzaNet is committed to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion across all aspects of its work.

We aim to foster equitable and ethical international partnerships, ensure inclusive leadership and decision-making, support participation across career stages and disciplines, and address structural and cultural barriers within UK and global rice research.

These principles are embedded across OryzaNet's governance, funding mechanisms, training activities, and events.