2024 6th Annual Conference

27 November 2024
York and online

At this year’s conference we explored three themes and, across panel discussions, and feedback from delegates, sharing what works and, as importantly, what doesn't, and looking at potential solutions for the future, new areas of research, and how to overcome any challenges and barriers. Our three themes this year are:

Innovations for agriculture and food production. Sustainable agriculture: maximising efficiency and minimising environmental impact.
Innovations for safe, sustainable and resilient food manufacturing and supply chains.
Innovations for sustainable consumer behaviour and nutritional security.

The conference ties in closely with our forthcoming book, Cultivating Resilience: Innovations for Safe, Sustainable and Resilient Food Systems. In order to make the conference accessible to more people, we are running it on one day, Wednesday 27 November.

Keynote speeches

Where we stand on Sustainable Development? with Stefanos Fotiou, Director of the Office of Sustainable Development Goals, and Director of the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub at The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.
The State of Food and Agriculture, 2024 - What’s Next? with Dr Andrea Cattaneo, Senior Economist at The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations

The lively debates of our panels, which include short presentations of the projects the panellists worked on, and discussion around the broader implications across each theme:

Theme 1: Innovations for agriculture and food production

Chaired by Dr Peter Allan, Honorary Scientist, UKRI/STFC

First panel, "Technologies and data for sustainable production", with Dr Dan Evans, Lecturer in Soil Science, Cranfield University; Dr Patrick Stowell, Lecturer in Particle Physics, University of Sheffield; and Dr Melina Zempila, Earth Observation Scientist, RAL Space
Second panel, "The role of big data and digital platforms in farming", with Dr Tom Kirkham, DAFNI Science Lead, STFC; Dr Ifeyinwa Kanu, SFN+ Champion, CEO, IntelliDigest; Dr Chiedza Muchopa, Senior Lecturer in Agricultural Economics, University of Limpopo, South Africa; and Dr Jens Jensen, SFN+ Champion, Data Scientist, RAL Space, STFC.

Theme 2: Innovations for safe, sustainable and resilient food manufacturing and supply chains

Chaired by Geoff McBride, Chief Consultant, World Innovation Systems (Ex-UKRI STFC)

First panel, "Food safety, traceability and transparency", with Henry Hunga, PhD Development Studies Student, University of Malawi; Dr Maria Anastasiadi, Lecturer in Bioinformatics, Cranfield University; and Dr Ramanjaneyulu GV, Executive Director, Centre for Sustainable Agriculture
Second panel, "Reducing food waste and losses, including the cold food chain", with Dr Ifeyinwa Kanu, SFN+ Champion, CEO, IntelliDigest; Dr Jens Jensen, SFN+ Champion, Scientist, RAL Space, STFC; and Prof Sonal Choudhary, Chair in Sustainable Management, University of York

Theme 3: Innovations for sustainable consumer behaviour and nutritional security

Chaired Dr Panayiota Alevizou, Lecturer in Marketing, University of Sheffield

First panel, "Innovations in policies for promoting healthy and sustainable food", with Chiedza Muchopa, Senior Lecturer, University of Limpopo, South Africa; Dr Ramanjaneyulu GV, Executive Director, Centre for Sustainable Agriculture; and Prof Sonal Choudhary, Chair in Sustainable Management, University of York
Second panel, "Product innovation, sustainable consumer behaviour, and nudges", with Dr Tom Kirkham, DAFNI Science Lead, STFC; Dr Stacia Stetkiewicz, Assistant Professor in Sustainable Agricultural Systems, University of Nottingham; and Dr Ramanjaneyulu GV, Executive Director, Centre for Sustainable Agriculture

Finally, a session on future funding opportunities

Jayne Brookman, Director of Partner Recruitment, EIT Food, gave a presentation which included details of their Impact Funding Framework, the next round of which opens in March 2025;
Rushil Ranchod, Senior Manager: Strategy and Partnerships, ESRC UKRI, gave a presentation which included details of the Smart Data Research UK: Innovation Fund; and
Fleuriane Fernandes, Senior Portfolio Manager, BBSRC, whose talk included The Diet and Health Open Innovation Research Club (OIRC), which has multiple opportunities open, and the Industrial Doctoral Landscape Award 2024/25, which closes on 18 February 2025.

Thank you to all our chairs, speakers and panellists, and to everyone who attended on the day.