Food systems across Europe and the UK are still falling short when it comes to delivering healthy diets, social fairness and environmental sustainability. Despite years of research, policy initiatives and promising political momentum, progress remains too slow. So, how can research become a more effective driver of food system transformation?
This webinar explores how research, funding and action can be better aligned to accelerate the transition towards food systems that are healthier, fairer and better for the climate across Europe and the UK. It will present key findings from a study exploring how research and research funding can better support the transition towards more sustainable, healthy and equitable food systems. The study draws on an AI-assisted literature review, a survey of more than 80 change-makers across Europe and the UK, and a series of stakeholder workshops.
Two key findings stand out:
- First, changemakers broadly agree on what needs to change – what is still missing in research that can help answer a crucial question: how can we make this shift happen in practice?
- Second, research itself needs to change. This means giving food system stakeholders a meaningful role in shaping research priorities, while investing more in disciplines and approaches that are currently undervalued in academic systems.
The webinar will include:
- Key findings from the comparative report
- Country spotlights from Poland, Germany and the UK
- A panel discussion bringing together perspectives from research, funding and food system changemakers
Confirmed speakers include:
- Valérie Masson-Delmotte (Palaeoclimatologist, former Vice-Chair of the IPCC, Research Director at the Climate and Environmental Sciences Laboratory of the CEA - French Atomic Energy and Alternative Energies Commission)
- Andrew Hellewell (UKRI - UK Research and Innovation)
- Trees Robijns (ECF - European Climate Foundation)
- Fabrice DeClerck (EAT - science-based platform for food system transformation)
- National experts from Poland, Germany, and the UK
- Closing remarks from Heather Alford (Wellcome Trust)
