A forward-looking and visionary leader, he anticipated the UK’s need for increased research and training in environmental technology. In 1976, he founded the Imperial College Centre for Environmental Technology (ICCET) with the support of Lord Brian Flowers, the Chairman of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution and the Rector of Imperial at the time.

Professor Conway had a wide range of research interests and made huge contributions in research and policy for agriculture, food security and sustainable land management. He was particularly active in applying his expertise in food production in the Global South.