Launched in January 2025 our Lunchtime Conversations are interdisciplinary exchanges designed to inspire new thinking about the challenges that our global food systems pose from production to consumption.
Two researchers from different disciplines are invited to discuss their work and address the same topic from different angles. Their discussion will be followed by a Q&A with the audience.
Lunchtime Conversations take place at various dates in the David Attenborough Building usually around 1pm, in person and on-line.
For further information please mail Francesca Re Manning.
These events are open to all staff and students; you are welcome to join and contribute to the discussion, whatever your area of expertise!
Future Events
From collection to cultivation: seed sovereignty and small farmers' movements
- Friday 13 March, 1.30-2.30pm
- Main Seminar Room, David Attenborough Building, Cambridge Conservation Initiative
Speakers:
- Dr Hitesh Pant, Department of History & Philosophy of Science
- PhD Tejas Rao, Faculty of Land Economy
Past Events
Feeding change: how mindsets and meals shape climate action
- Friday 13 February, 1.30-2.30pm
- Weston Seminar Room, David Attenborough Building, Cambridge Conservation Initiative
Speakers:
- Sigurdur Martinsson, Darwin College
- PhD Miriam Remshard, Department of Psychology
Click here for more information and speakers' slides
The Dynamics of Agricultural Pests: leveraging data from genomes to landscapes
- Friday 30 January, 1.30-2.30pm
- Weston Room, David Attenborough Building, Cambridge Conservation Initiative
Speakers:
- Dr Henry North, Department of Zoology
- Dr Renata Retkute, Department of Plant Sciences
Click here for further information and speakers' slides
Regenerative Agriculture: from the UK to Africa. A reality?
- Monday 8 December, 12.30-1.30pm
- Weston Room, David Attenborough Building, Cambridge Conservation Initiative
Speakers:
Dr Katherine Berthon (Department of Zoology)
Dr Matthew Davies (Department of Archaeology)
Mitigating risks in food and agri-biotech supply chains
- Friday 21 November, 1.30-2.30pm
- Weston Room, David Attenborough Building, Cambridge Conservation Initiative
Speakers:
Dr Jenny Molloy, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology
Dr Ettore Settanni, Institute for Manufacturing
Click here for speakers' slides
From wild to curated, plant collections in conservation research
- Thursday 16 October 1-2pm
- Manatee Room, David Attenborough Building, Cambridge Conservation Initiative
Speakers:
Elspeth Mathau, PhD candidate, Department of Geography
Dr Juliet Anderson, Herbarium
Click here for speakers' slides
Life and Death of a Patent: The Impact of Branding on Emergency Global Supply Trade
- Tuesday 11 March 1-2pm
- Seminar Room 1, Dept of History and Political Science, Free School Lane, Cambridge (https://what3words.com/quick.stiff.rides)
Speakers:
Dr Tad Brown, Research Associate, Department of History and Philosophy of Science
Dr Jellie Molino, Research By-Fellow, Hughes Hall
Click here for further information
Socio-economic levers to scale up more sustainable farming
Thursday 13 February 2025
Speakers:
Dr Aiora Zabala, Assistant Professor, Environmental Policy, Department of Land Economy, University of Cambridge
Prisca Kouakou, PhD Candidate, Department of Geography, University of Cambridge
Click here for further information and speakers' slides
Can ancient crops benefit modern food systems?
Thursday 30 January 2025
Speakers:
Dr Alexander Weide Assistant Professor in Environmental Archaeology, Department of Archaeology, University of Cambridge
Dr Nadia Radzman Research Associate Sainsbury Laboratory, University of Cambridge
