About

INSPIRE Lab is an exciting new partnership between the University of Oxford’s Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment and Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO), focused on advancing knowledge, innovation, and policy for an inclusive, climate-resilient, and nature-positive palm oil sector.

The project is co-led by NbSI’s Deputy Director, Dr Jen Lucey, alongside Dr Caitlin McElroy, who leads the Smith School’s Regeneration Lab. Dr Fran Manning at NbSI is the lead researcher on the project.

Together, we are exploring pathways towards a regenerative future for the Malaysian palm oil sector by working collaboratively across the value chain and co-creating research priorities with diverse stakeholders, including growers, smallholders, supply chain actors, policymakers, NGOs, and academia. This collaborative approach is designed to ensure the research is practical, relevant, and capable of delivering meaningful impact.

The project focuses on three key thematic areas:

• Nature Recovery and Net Zero Alignment

  Exploring how the palm oil sector can transition from minimising environmental impact to actively promoting nature restoration in line with global biodiversity targets and Net Zero commitments.

• Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for Agricultural Resilience

  Identifying ways we can harness nature to enhance climate and economic resilience for both smallholders and large-scale producers.

• Social Equity and Livelihoods

  Exploring the opportunities for improving income resilience, community livelihoods, and gender inclusivity in the palm oil sector.

Oxford-MSPO INSPIRE Lab is a flagship project of AGRIIH