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    Research Centres

    Sustainable Agri-Food Systems Group

    Why are sustainable agri-food systems important?

    This cross-disciplinary research group works across fields and University research centres, towards a common purpose – more sustainable food systems. The group brings together natural scientists, economists, social scientists, on-farm ecologists, livestock and crop production specialists, and experts working in the wider food chain.

    Our multidisciplinary research investigates contemporary challenges and opportunities in the food chain, from innovative and regenerative agriculture, to resilient food supply chains, and sustainable consumption.

    Example areas of research include: on-farm nature-based solutions to climate resilience; management of food excess supply and food waste minimisation; and lifecycle assessments of social, environmental and economic impacts of food production, supply and trade.  The cross-cutting research enables us to address the behavioural changes needed for a transformation towards a more agroecological approach as defined by the FAO: “an… integrated approach that simultaneously applies ecological and social concepts and principles to the design and management of sustainable agriculture and food systems. It seeks to optimize the interactions between plants, animals, humans and the environment while also addressing the need for socially equitable food systems within which people can exercise choice over what they eat and how and where it is produced.”

    Contact us

    Research contact 01952 81 5113
    Monday to Friday: 9am - 5pm

    Centre lead

    Our expertise

    In order to drive sustainable agri-food systems, research needs to cross inter-disciplinary boundaries, with experts working collaboratively and collectively to address the most challenging questions.

    In the Sustainable Agri-Food Systems group our topic expertise covers multiple aspects of production, processing, distribution, consumption and disposal of agri-food products and the associated societal and natural environments. This cross disciplinary representation spans the fields of agricultural and food sciences, social and economic sciences, and environmental and data science, and enables us to link with specialist research departments and groups throughout the university. In addition, our collaborative working means we have links throughout the agri-food industry enabling us to address complex questions from a variety of angles. 

    Meet the team

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