# Rothamsted Research

> agricultural research institution

**Wikidata**: [Q1326711](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1326711)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rothamsted_Research)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/rothamsted-research

## Summary
Rothamsted Research is an agricultural research institution located in Harpenden, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom. Founded in 1843, it is one of the oldest agricultural research institutes in the world and operates as a research organization focused on arable crops and sustainable land management. It currently operates under the direction of Professor Angela Karp and is a member of the Environmental Change Network and ELIXIR UK.

## Key Facts
*   **Inception:** Founded in 1843.
*   **Location:** Headquartered in Harpenden, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom (Postal Code: AL5 2JQ).
*   **Size:** The site covers an area of 813 acres.
*   **Leadership:** Angela Karp has served as the Director and CEO since July 16, 2020.
*   **Type:** It is classified as a research institute and is part of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.
*   **Historical Names:** Formerly known as the Rothamsted Experimental Station and the Institute of Arable Crops Research.
*   **Coordinates:** Latitude 51.809166666667, Longitude -0.35527777777778.
*   **Parent Organization:** Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.

## FAQs
### Q: When was Rothamsted Research founded?
A: Rothamsted Research was founded in 1843. It was originally directed by John Bennet Lawes, who served until 1900.

### Q: Where is Rothamsted Research located?
A: The institution is located in Harpenden and Harpenden Rural in Hertfordshire, United Kingdom. Its campus spans 813 acres.

### Q: What is the Broadbalk experiment?
A: The Broadbalk long-term experiment is one of the classical agricultural experiments conducted at Rothamsted. It is part of the institution's historic portfolio of long-term studies, which also include the Woburn and Highfield ley-arable rotation experiments.

## Why It Matters
Rothamsted Research holds a unique position in the history of agricultural science as arguably the longest-running agricultural research station in existence. Its significance lies in its "Classical Experiments," such as Broadbalk and the Woburn experiments, which have been running for over a century and a half. These experiments provide irreplaceable, long-term data sets on soil fertility, crop yields, and pest dynamics that are critical for understanding environmental change and sustainable farming practices.

The institute influences modern biotechnology and agronomy through its parentage under the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and its integration into European research infrastructures like ELIXIR UK. By maintaining continuous records since the Victorian era—starting under John Bennet Lawes in 1843—the institution serves as a bridge between 19th-century agricultural chemistry and 21st-century biological science.

## Notable For
*   **Longevity:** Inception in 1843 makes it a historic landmark in agricultural science.
*   **Classical Experiments:** Home to the Broadbalk long-term experiment and other multi-decade studies (e.g., Woburn green manuring, Highfield ley-arable).
*   **Extensive Grounds:** Operates on a massive 813-acre site in Hertfordshire.
*   **Data Infrastructure:** Acts as a node for ELIXIR UK and the Environmental Change Network, contributing to global data sharing.
*   **Leadership:** Historically directed by notable figures like John Bennet Lawes and Edward J. Russell.

## Body
### Location and Facilities
Rothamsted Research is situated in Harpenden, Hertfordshire, within the historic county of Hertfordshire, United Kingdom. The facility covers 813 acres and includes the Centenary building. It is geographically positioned at latitude 51.809166666667 and longitude -0.35527777777778.

### History and Leadership
The institute was established in 1843. Its early leadership included:
*   **John Bennet Lawes:** Served as Director/Manager from the inception in 1843 until 1900.
*   **Edward J. Russell:** Served as Director/Manager from October 1912 until July 1943.
*   **Angela Karp:** The current Director and CEO, a position she has held since July 16, 2020.

The institution was previously known as the **Rothamsted Experimental Station** and the **Institute of Arable Crops Research**.

### Organizational Structure and Affiliations
Rothamsted is a research institute whose primary purpose is research. It is a member of ORCID, Inc. and a part of **ELIXIR UK** and the **Environmental Change Network**. Its parent organization is the **Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council**. The institute maintains a library with the Archon code 768.

### Research and Experiments
The institute manages several "classical" and long-term agricultural experiments, including:
*   Broadbalk long-term experiment
*   Broadbalk wilderness experiment
*   Woburn green manuring experiment
*   Woburn market garden experiment
*   Woburn organic manuring experiment
*   Highfield ley-arable rotation experiment
*   Fosters ley-arable rotation experiment
*   Rothamsted classical experiments

### Identifiers and Cataloging
Rothamsted Research is indexed globally under various identifiers, including:
*   **GRID ID:** grid.418374.d
*   **ROR ID:** 0347fy350
*   **ISIL:** GB-UkHarRR
*   **Library of Congress Authority ID:** n81086811
*   **Encyclopædia Britannica Online ID:** place/Rothamsted-Experimental-Station

## References

1. [Source](https://www.rothamsted.ac.uk/news/angela-karp-announced-new-director-and-ceo-rothamsted-research)
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
4. [Source](http://www.elixir-europe.org/about-us/who-we-are/nodes/uk)
5. [Source](http://data.ecn.ac.uk/sites/ecnsites.asp?site=T06)
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. Czech National Authority Database
8. Edward John Russell, 1872-1965
9. GeoNames
10. BBC Things
11. [Source](https://doi.org/10.23637/rothamsted-long-term-experiments-guide-2006)
12. GRID Release 2015-12-14
13. GRID Release 2016-12-06
14. [FindThatCharity.uk](https://findthatcharity.uk/orgid/XI-ROR-0347fy350)
15. Quora
16. Microsoft Academic Knowledge Graph
17. HAL
18. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
19. [OpenAlex](https://docs.openalex.org/download-snapshot/snapshot-data-format)