Alternative protein is an important research theme for Global Food Security.
Below please find further information on GFS events, research groups and initiatives involving our members that address the challenges involved in producing protein for the world’s growing population in way that is healthy and sustainable both for people and the planet.
Events:
The Future of Pulses: Brainstorming Meeting
Wednesday 19 April 2023
Held at Sainsbury Lab, University of Cambridge, GFS members involved in research related to alternative proteins gave short presentations describing their work and exchanged ideas on developing future interdisciplinary research initiatives.
What’s for dinner? The future of meat
Wednesday 22 March 2023
This public webinar was organized with University of Cambridge Decarbonisation Network.
The event was chaired by Professor Sarah Bridle, author of 'Food and Climate Change without the Hot Air', with speakers from the University of Cambridge including Professor Andrew Balmford, Dr Charlotte Kukowski and Dr Daniel Borch Ibsen as well as Artun Sukan, Head of Strategic Partnerships at Higher Steaks.
Speakers invited the audience to face up to the fact that we have to change what we eat to stand a chance of limiting both the climate catastrophe and the extinction crisis. The good news is that even small changes, made by a large number of people, will make a huge difference. If we do this the world will be able to support its growing population in a way that’s healthy and sustainable.
Cambridge Alternative Protein Workshop
Friday 10th March 2023
This workshop was an initiative of the Cambridge Alternative Protein Network in collaboration with GFS, the Cambridge University Alternative Protein Project, Cambridge Zero and the Good Food Institute. It brought together academics from the University of Cambridge and further afield, as well as representatives from business and funding bodies, with the following goals:
- To develop proposals for alternative protein research projects, including collaborators within and outside the university.
- To facilitate a network between academics interested in alternative protein research across the University’s different schools.
- To build a roadmap for how initial research projects could progress into a world-leading Centre for Alternative Protein Research.
Read more about the workshop here.
Read more about the Cambridge Alternative Protein Network here
Pulses for healthy guts (and healthy environment)
Thursday 25th March 2021
This workshop was organised jointly with CamPlants Hub funded by the University of Cambridge Knowledge Exchange Network Pump Priming Funding.
The workshop was attended by academics and industry professionals with the aim of building networks within and beyond Cambridge, in order to link expertise across the spectrum from biochemistry and crop research to human health and retail and identify opportunities for research and innovation.
Eat the Right Thing: Are plant-based diets best for us and our planet?
Wednesday 25 November 2020
This public webinar about what sort of diet is best for us and our planet, featured lots of interaction between our six expert panellists and an audience of just over 200 people keen to know more.
The event was chaired by Howard Griffiths, Co-Chair of Cambridge Global Food Security IRC, Professor of Plant Ecology, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge. Panellists included: Giles Yeo, Principal Research Associate, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Louise Palmer-Masterton, founder of Stem & Glory plant-based restaurants, David Willer, Zoologist, University of Cambridge Conservation Research Institute, Emma Garnett, Prince of Wales Junior Research Fellow in Sustainable Consumption, University of Cambridge and John Pawsey, organic farmer and former Chair of the NFU Organic Forum
An #AnnualFoodAgenda event, organised by the University of Cambridge, Department of Plant Sciences, powered by EIT Food, supported by the EIT, a body of the European Union.
GFS Members associated with alternative protein research:
Prof Paul Duprée, Professor, Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge
Dr Daniel Ibsen, Research Associate, MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge
Dr Charlotte Kukowski, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Cambridge Social Decision-Making Lab (Department of Psychology) and Conservation Science Group (Department of Zoology), University of Cambridge
Dr Paul Lohman, Research Associate, El-Erian Institute of Behavioural Economics and Policy
Dr Erik Mackie, Cambridge Zero, University of Cambridge
Dr Payam Mehrshahi, Senior Research Associate, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge
Dr Nadia Radzman, Research Associate, Sainsbury Lab, University of Cambridge
Prof Lucia Reisch, El-Erian Professor of Behavioural Economics & Policy, Judge Business School, University of Cambridge
Dr Abhimanyu Sarkar, Programme leader - legume genetics, NIAB
Dr Jagjit Singh Srai, Head, Centre for International Manufacturing, Institute for Manufacturing, Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge
Peter Templeton, Founder, William Templeton Foundation for Young People's Mental Health, Director, IfM Education & Consultancy Services
Prof Edgar Turner, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge
Dr David Willer, Henslow Research Fellow, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge
Funding Opportunities:
Alternative Proteins Innovation and Knowledge Centre – UKRI
