Background to the Centre

The crisis created by Foot and Mouth disease demonstrated the fragility of the uplands’ human societies and their underlying economic and environmental structures. However, whilst this crisis brought this vulnerability to widespread public attention, it was preceded by an earlier crisis of steep economic decline in hill-farming from 1997 that gained governmental recognition by the appointment of the Hills Task Force in 2000 (Arnold-Forster et al 2001). These crises led to the recognition that upland landscapes and communities would be compelled to change over the coming decades (Price and Holdgate 2002).

The International Centre for the Uplands – Cumbria (ICU-C), referred to colloquially as the Upland Centre, was set up in 2004 as a response to this recognition, with a broad remit of supporting upland communities in developing a voice in the policy arena, challenging thinking, celebrating the landscapes and communities in the uplands and looking broadly at national and international experiences in order to help develop a sustainable future for these precious landscapes.

Centre Organisation

The Centre brings together a unique partnership of organisations which combine international academic excellence with expertise in the management of the Cumbrian uplands. The Centre is core funded by Cumbria County Council, Rural Regeneration Cumbria (supported by the Northwest Development Agency) and the Lake District National Park Authority.

Steering Group. A Steering Group guides the work programme and the budget, and sets priorities across different research themes. This group  comprise the key funders and agencies and seven individuals engaged in the main activities in the uplands.

If you are interested in working with us, either in the contribution of ideas, or the carrying out of research please get in touch.