A Warm Welcome
Dear Participants,
We warmly welcome you to the 3rd International Biodynamic Research Conference.
This gathering takes place at a time when the call for a more conscious, more holistic approach to agriculture is growing stronger. Biodynamic agriculture offers such an approach—rooted in an understanding of the farm as a living organism, in co-creation with nature, and in a recognition that human beings are part of the wider communion of life. It is an agriculture that calls us to take responsibility—for the way we cultivate the soil, for how we nourish communities, and for how we relate to the Earth as a living being.
The aim of this conference is to create a space in which research from across knowledge systems can meet, dialogue, and deepen. Biodynamic agriculture, with its complexity and wholeness, requires approaches that are equally holistic and consider both the seen and the unseen, the measurable and the experiential, the practical and the philosophical. In this spirit, the conference invites us to bring together diverse disciplines and perspectives, and to allow the boundaries between them to become more fluid.
The conference invites us to be curious, to be generous with our questions, and to meet one another in a spirit of shared inquiry. It is an opportunity to connect—across fields, languages, and continents—and to strengthen the research community dedicated to biodynamic farming and its wider relevance in a changing world.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all who contribute to this gathering—through their research, their presence, and their ongoing work in the world.
The Steering Committee
3rd International Biodynamic Research Conference
Travel to the Conference
Electronic Travel Authorisation
Before you travel, please check here if you require an Electronic Travel Authorisation to enter the UK. If so, apply online at the official website gov.uk/eta/apply. The fee is £16, and we recommend avoiding third-party providers who charge more.
If you have a UK visa, you do not need a travel authorization.
Travel to the Royal Agricultural University
From London, rail and coach connections are available to either Kemble or Cirencester. From both towns, onward travel to the Royal Agricultural University requires a taxi, as local bus services are very limited.
The nearest train station is Kemble, located about 2 miles (3.2 km) from the University. View the
train schedule here.
National Express coaches run regularly from London Victoria Station and Heathrow Airport to Cirencester. The coach stop is around 40 minutes on foot or a short 5-minute taxi ride from the University. View the bus schedule here.
Local taxi services are available, and the fare is approximately £11. Most taxis accept credit cards. Cirencester Radio Cars: +44 1285 650850, and Kemble Train Station Taxi Service: +44 333 8000750.
Travel Together
If you would like to find travel companions, share a car, or offer a ride, you can join this group chat and connect with other attendees.
Arrival Day
Porter's Lodge
If your conference ticket includes accommodation, please proceed directly to the Porter’s Lodge, the guesthouse, to check in to your room. The standard check-in is on 31 August, and check-out is on 4 September by noon. If you wish to arrive earlier or depart later, contact shortstay@rau.ac.uk to make an individual arrangement. Extra nights are charged at the university’s standard rate.
Welcome Desk
On Sunday from 16:00 onwards, please come to the Welcome Desk in the Tithe Barn to register for the conference and collect your badge. At the desk, you can also sign up for workshops, register and pay for excursions, and receive assistance from the conference team.
Meals
Please note that no lunch will be available on Sunday, 31 August. If you arrive in the morning, we kindly ask you to make your own arrangements. A supermarket and a café, both open on Sundays, are located about a 25-minute walk away. The conference will officially begin with a dinner reception at 18:00 Boutflour Hall.
Campus Map
View the campus map of the Royal Agricultural University.
Conference Venue
The plenary sessions and keynote lectures will take place in Boutflour Hall. Workshops, talks, and poster presentations will be held in various seminar rooms of the Emrys Jones building. These rooms are are designated with “EJ” followed by a number. You can find your room in the conference programme.
Floor plans of the Emrys Jones building are available here:
Ground Floor, and
First Floor.
Orientation on Campus
Packing
During the conference, it will be late summer in the UK. Daytime temperatures are expected to range between 19–25°C, with nights dropping to around 10–12°C. However, weather conditions are unpredictable, and rain is possible, even during outdoor activities. Please pack a few warm clothes for cooler evenings and a raincoat or umbrella in case of wet weather. For your electronic devices, bring the appropriate plug adapters and converters. The UK uses 220–240 volts, 50 Hz, with standard UK sockets.
Currency
The currency in the UK is pounds sterling (£), divided into 100 pence (p). The approximate conversion rate is 1€ = £0.87. You can exchange money at most banks, travel agents, post offices, or bureaux de change. While most of your needs will be covered during the conference, you may want to bring some cash for personal items. Please note that the nearest ATM is about a 30-minute walk from the university.
Practical Information
Helpline
If you need assistance during your arrival, please feel free to call the conference team at +44 7896 976422.
Excursions
For any questions about the excursions, please contact Hannah Shepherd at hannah.shepherd@rmlt.org.uk.
Royal Agricultural University
The phone number of the university is +44 1285 652531.
