Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford
Food systems activities (including producing, processing, distributing and consuming food) have changed dramatically over recent decades. These changes have significantly reduced the proportion of the global population who do not have enough calories, but about one billion people are still hungry and over two billion people still do not have sufficient nutrients to lead a healthy life. Paradoxically, over two and a half billion people are now consuming too much. Meanwhile, all food system activities contribute to degrading the natural resources upon which our food security depends. How can food systems be better managed to improve food security and health outcomes with lower environmental ‘footprint’, while maintaining vibrant enterprises and livelihood opportunities? And how can we build the new professions needed to do this?
The ECI has an internationally-recognised track record in food systems research, with special emphasis on the interactions with environmental change. Key strengths include using a food systems lens for research and training on food security issues, and developing research partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders including business, policy, development agencies, NGOs and academia at large.
ECI Food Systems Group Mission
To use an integrated food systems approach and innovative methods and tools to help a wide range of stakeholders develop and implement enhanced food system policy and practice. Research is aimed at delivering outcomes better balanced across food security, livelihoods and enterprise, and environmental goals.
ECI Food Systems Group Strategy
- Undertaking high quality and impactful food systems research to help influence and shape policy and practice;
- Offering and developing new participatory methods and foresight tools to food system actors to analyse and plan needed changes to the system;
- Delivering innovative teaching and learning approaches to develop skills in the food system workforce; and
- Promoting new modes of knowledge exchange to support those working in the food system.
RESEARCH AND ACTIVITY
Food Systems Research
Our Food Systems research aims to enhance the efficiency of food systems to improve food security while minimising environmental impacts. Led by Dr John Ingram
Projects +Food Systems Training (IFSTAL)
We offer Food Systems training as part of the HEFCE-funded 'Innovative Food Systems Teaching and Learning' programme IFSTAL, which addresses the urgent need for a workforce skilled in food systems thinking. Led by Dr John Ingram
More +Resilience of the UK Food System
We coordinate the Global Food Security Programme's 'Resilience of the UK Food System in a Global Context' programme (GFS-FSR), supported by BBSRC, ESRC, NERC and the Scottish Government. Coordinated by Dr John Ingram.
More +Table
Table seeks to facilitate informed discussions about how the food system can become sustainable, resilient, just, and ultimately "good". Table is the successor to the Food Climate Research Network. Led by Dr Tara Garnett
More +ECI Food Systems News
Multiple forms of malnutrition are the new normal. Addressing them will require changes across the entire food system.
Dr John Ingram, ECI Food Systems Programme Leader
Food systems and climate change in the Canadian Maritimes
Bernard Soubry identifies key areas of intervention needed to safeguard the Canadian Maritime food system in the face of climate change in this new policy briefing published by the ECI.
Food Systems and Natural Resources
For thousands of years, nature has gracefully provided the necessary inputs to feed us, and we have in many occasions taken these precious gifts for granted. This report, coordinated by the UNEP's International Resource Panel and with contributions from Dr John Ingram, is an effort to account for these inputs.
