Scope

To discuss key research questions for the future, hear funder perspectives in this space, discuss where King’s can make the most meaningful contributions, and explore internal and external connections to drive forward progress.

Aims

To bring together the full range of King’s expertise in climate and food, to drive growth in research and research funding across faculties in this important area. Please note, you do not already need to be focused on both climate and food in your research, but have an interest in the interplay between climate, sustainability and food, and a willingness to contribute to rich discussions and explore potentially new connections and avenues of research at the intersections between research areas.

Who is the workshop for

This is a workshop for King’s staff interested in securing support for research in this and related areas, from any faculty. There will be a cap on numbers due to the format of the workshop and size of the room, and we may need to curate attendance if registrations exceed the cap.

Participants will be expected to:

• Study a (small) amount of pre-reading
• Be keen to explore new collaborative and interdisciplinary ideas
• Be ready to help convene or lead workshop discussions, or to arrange follow-up discussions to developing emerging ideas afterwards.

Background

Food production is responsible for about one quarter of greenhouse gas emissions, and the sector is not on track to meet climate targets. Adaptation to climate effects that are already unavoidable will force dietary changes on some people, and increase costs and create risks for supply chains and food security for many more.

To mitigate climate change, research into reducing red meat consumption gets considerable attention and offers health benefits for many, but other significant topics include alternative protein sources, reducing food transport costs, packaging, marketing, cooking, food waste, and changing food production systems.

This initial workshop will bring together staff from across the spectrum to discuss: existing strengths and connection of relevant research across King’s; research opportunities; areas where King’s can make a distinctive contribution; and how we can use internal support (seed funding, networking etc.) and external funding and partnering opportunities to achieve this.

Draft programme

Introduction and scene setting, including:

• Relevant and related initiatives and activity at King’s in this space
• BBSRC strategy/perspective *Louisa Jenkin (BBSRC, Senior Portfolio Manager, Food/Nutrition/Health)
• Support available at King’s for bid development and seed support

Workshop discussions

Plenary session and next steps

This workshop is open to King’s staff only