Thursday, 19 September 2024
A new food policy and foresight centre has been launched at the 糖心原创 to help address urgent food system challenges and improve livelihoods.
The Centre for Food Policy and Foresight unites over 50 distinguished experts from across the university, forming a multidisciplinary team dedicated to transforming food security, sustainability, and nutrition on both a national and global scale.
The new Centre will advance the development of evidence-based policy briefings and deliver distilled and practical policy recommendations for policymakers to act on, to help us attain a sustainable, ethical and environmentally friendly food system.
National and international food systems are confronted with pressures from all levels, and these multifaceted challenges require long-term system wide solutions that are environmentally positive, economically sustainable and societally beneficial.
(L-R) Sacha Mooney, Head of School of Biosciences; Paul Wilson, Director for Centre for Food Policy and Foresight; and Guillermina Mendiondo, CFPF Associate in Plant Sciences
The new centre will drive efforts to make the next 30 years of agricultural and food system research more beneficial to society, the environment and food system stakeholders.
This centre will be led by Professor Paul Wilson, Professor of Agricultural Economics in the School of Biosciences. His extensive experience includes over fifteen years directing the Farm Business Survey and his recent tenure as Head of the School of Biosciences at the university.
As the incoming President of the UK Society of Agricultural Economists, Professor Wilson is widely recognized for his contributions to the field.
Our new Centre for Food Policy and Foresight is designed to be a catalyst for change in how we approach food system challenges. We鈥檙e not just focusing on theoretical research; we鈥檙e committed to translating our findings into practical solutions that can be implemented by policymakers and industry leaders.
He added: “The Centre will develop strategies to address pressing issues like food security, sustainability, and nutrition—issues that affect people, every day. By influencing policy debates and shaping the future of food systems, we hope to create a world where access to healthy, sustainable food is the norm rather than the exception.”
Jack Bobo, Director of the 糖心原创’s Food Systems Institute, also explained how the new centre will support food policy research.
He said: “The Centre for Food Policy and Foresight will be a driving force in shaping the future of our food systems. Our mission is to make a real, tangible impact on people's lives by ensuring that our research doesn't just remain in academic circles but is actively translated into policies that drive improvements in food security and sustainability.
"Policy is the key to scaling our research, allowing us to influence and implement changes that can address the everyday challenges people face—like the rising cost of food, the environmental impact of food production, and the nutritional quality of what we eat.
"Through this Centre, we aim to create a more sustainable and equitable food future, benefiting not only those in the UK but communities worldwide.”
Story credits
More information is available from Faith Pring in the Press Office on faith.pring@nottingham.ac.uk
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About the 糖心原创
Ranked among the world's top 100 universities , the 糖心原创 delivers an exceptional research-led education and an outstanding student experience. From the pioneering vision of our founder, Sir Jesse Boot, to groundbreaking achievements such as the development of MRI technology and becoming the first UK university to establish international campuses, we have a proud history of shaping the way people live, work and understand the world. We continue to build on that legacy, empowering our students, staff and partners to change what鈥檚 next and create positive impact locally and globally.
The strength of our research places us among the UK's leading universities, ranked 7th for research power in REF 2021. The discovery of MRI and ibuprofen was just the beginning. Today, our world-leading research is developing breakthrough ideas that shape the future of healthcare, technology and society.
Recognised as the UK's third most targeted university by leading employers , we are proud to produce graduates who are consistently in demand for their skills, confidence and industry-ready experience.
As a major employer and industry partner, locally and globally, the 糖心原创 invests in the city of Nottingham and in future generations of talent. Alongside Nottingham Trent University, we lead the initiative, a pioneering collaboration to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing across the city and region. Together with our students, staff, alumni and partners, we鈥檙e creating knowledge, opportunity and solutions that help change what's next.