Our Approach
The challenge is to deliver nutritious, safe and affordable food to a global population of over 9 billion in the coming decades, using less land, fewer inputs, with less waste and a lower environmental impact. All this has to be done in ways that are socially and economically sustainable.
Prof. Sir John Beddington, Government Chief Scientific Adviser Forward to UK Global Food Security Strategic Plan 2011-2016
Who we are
The Cambridge Global Food Systems IRC is a virtual network of researchers across the University, from crop scientists and engineers to specialists in policy, veterinary studies, business, and public health in collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders.
Our vision
Our vision is to provide answers and solutions to the challenge of ensuring that everyone in the world has access to enough safe and nutritious food in harmony with the environment.
What we do
We promote, coordinate, and disseminate interdisciplinary research generated within the University and stimulate and support partnerships with external partners to find holistic solutions for a sustainable and resilient food system.
Our Strategic Objectives to achieve such a food system are to:
1. Promote long-term, interdisciplinary research capacity to address key challenges in global food security, by:
- sustaining and strengthening our local network
- continuing to develop our research collaborations nationally and internationally
- public engagement and early-career events to inspire the next generation
2. Engage with stakeholders across business, policy and civil society, to:
- ensure the most appropriate framing of our research agenda for impact potential
- translate fundamental research into practical applications
- generate new funding for innovative research
3. Enhance our presence, contribution and influence, by:
- informing debate at local, regional, national and international levels
- contributing to agenda-setting for future research funding
- contributing to evidence-informed policy-making
What are Interdisciplinary Research Centres? Please find out here.