Centre for data-driven livestock insights marks decade 

At a celebration in the Roslin Institute, staff and associates reflected on a decade of work to enhance data and evidence enabling deeper insights to the livestock and aquaculture sectors in low-and middle-income countries.  

Celebration event 

The event featured an exhibition demonstrating the strengths of SEBI-Livestock's projects and partnerships, which have enabled work on data innovation, evidence synthesis, modelling, monitoring, learning, gender insights and more. 

Marking the anniversary, Director Dr Karen Smyth reflected: "[the team is] a group of talented, diverse individuals who are determined to tackle the most complex challenges. Your refusal to accept 'no' as an answer has been the driving force behind our success."

Data-driven outcomes 

SEBI-L aims to develop data-driven insights for livestock and aquaculture programmes by applying innovative solutions to complex development questions.  

Drawing on expertise in veterinary science, gender, social science, modelling, economics and data science, its core service focuses on monitoring, sharing learnings, understanding impact, and supporting decision-making. 

SEBI-L is hosted by the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and strategically funded by the Gates Foundation.  

Evolving challenge 

New investments in livestock and aquaculture need to deliver positive and sustainable outcomes in low- and middle-income countries — yet the evidence required to track their impacts is often fragmented, inconsistent, or technically inaccessible. SEBI-Livestock works to establish consistency in the collection, analysis and modelling of data to provide detailed and robust evidence to decision-makers.  

These data assist decision-makers in navigating barriers to investment in sustainable livestock and aquaculture systems in low- and middle-income countries. In collaboration with governments, donors, civil society and private sector organisations, the programme applies innovative approaches to close data gaps and build actionable insights that help transform livestock systems.  

The livestock development landscape evolves continuously, presenting challenges well-met by the programme team.  

Professor Lisa Boden said of the milestone: "SEBI Livestock has played an important role over the last 10 years, leading the way with regard to improved livestock data and connecting the livestock data community of over 2,500 members. SEBI-L has become a long-standing and trusted partner of the Gates Foundation because of the quality of work, delivery and effective collaborations."