The Land Sciences Department at South East Technological University is dedicated to addressing the complex challenges facing areas related to agriculture, forestry, horticulture and the food and agricultural science industries. The department has a strong focus on improving the health and well-being of plants and animals, and restoring and conserving biodiversity and soil health through research in regenerative agriculture systems.

The department promotes sustainable farming practices that focus on building soil health, increasing biodiversity, and reducing farming inputs and food waste. Through its research on multi-species swards, pig gut health, cow fertility, eDNA technologies, sensor systems, and supply chain optimisation, the department is developing new approaches to farming that are environmentally sustainable, economically viable, and enhance animal welfare.

SETU Department of Land Sciences researchers establish innovative applied research collaborations with state bodies, industry partners from Ireland and abroad, and commercial companies seeking to explore new innovations. SETU Waterford is an associate partner in the EU Conexus Project (European University for Smart Urban Costal Sustainability), which by 2025 is the only European Transnational Higher Education and Research Institute that is able to cover, in an interdisciplinary way, the challenges facing the sustainability of our coastlines.

Researchers from the Department of Land Sciences are members of the SETU Eco-Innovation Research Centre (EIRC), and the SETU Pharmaceutical and Molecular Biotechnology Research Centre (PMBRC).

The department places a strong emphasis on the dissemination of research findings in education and outreach; our undergraduate programmes incorporate our research, fostering the development of student research skills from the early stages of education. Our ‘living lab’ facility in SETU Carriganore West Campus is an important research, innovation and outreach facility that plays a key role in driving forward technological innovation and promoting collaboration between academia, industry, and the wider community.