A new food policy and foresight centre has been launched at the University of Nottingham 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.
Our 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. 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're not just focusing on theoretical research; we're 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 University of Nottingham'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."
