The Environmental Change Institute (ECI) continues its central role in shaping the future of food systems education as IFSTAL (Interdisciplinary Food Systems Teaching and Learning) begins its second decade.
Dr Monika Zurek, Titular Associate Professor and Lead of ECI’s Food Systems Transformation Group, has joined Dr Rebecca Wells, City St George’s, University of London, as co-lead of IFSTAL. Dr Zurek brings expertise in food system assessment, foresight, and scenario analysis, ensuring that ECI remains a driving force behind the programme.
Co-founded by ECI Senior Researcher Dr John Ingram and Professor Tim Lang of City St George’s, IFSTAL was launched in 2015 to equip postgraduate students with interdisciplinary skills to address complex global food system challenges. Since then, it has grown to involve seven UK universities and produced over 3,000 alumni now working across government, industry, and research.
Dr Zurek said:
I am excited to work with Rebecca and colleagues at all participating institutions to upskill students to use the best science and participatory methods together with systems thinking tools to address the urgent need for food system change.”
Dr Rebecca Wells added: “I’m delighted to be leading IFSTAL into its next decade alongside Monika, increasing capacity to tackle pressing food systems challenges. Building on the amazing leadership and legacy of Dr John Ingram we are looking forward to working with colleagues and students to instil skills for the workplace that can have real impact on policy and practice for the future.”
With its new leadership, IFSTAL maintains its unique focus on combining scientific rigour, practical skills, and systems thinking to tackle pressing food system issues. The programme continues to be delivered at no charge to postgraduate students from participating institutions, with its central team based at ECI.
Find out more about IFSTAL on their website: www.ifstal.ac.uk