Nordic network for transdisciplinary food systems research
Coordinator: Minna Kaljonen, Finnish Environment Research Institute, Minna.kaljonen(a)syke.fi
Conference 2025 Challenging intersections: SECURING SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS IN TURBULENT TIMES
Building sustainable and resilient food systems requires transformative thinking and research. Many of the current sustainability challenges are so intertwined that they cannot be solved by focusing on a singular part of the food system, or by a singular discipline. In recent years, food systems research has become more established among scholars in the Nordics, and transdisciplinary approaches have been applied when seeking sustainability solutions together with food system actors.
The aim of the Nordic network for transdisciplinary food systems research is to tap into this potential and foster transdisciplinary collaboration amongst Nordic and Baltic researchers and food system actors. The long-term aim of the network is to strengthen research and methodological capacity when addressing the grand challenges of our food systems. Special attention is given to the younger generation of researchers in this regard. The network engages not only researchers, but also different food system actors in the identification and co-design of future priorities for transformative research on sustainable and resilient food systems.
The goals for 2024-2026 are
1) to build networking forums for Nordic and Baltic researchers and stakeholders across disciplines and food system activities who want to bring food system sustainability perspectives to their work
2) to initiate a forum for PhD students
3) to organize a Nordic food systems conference and a policy forum in 2025
In this network project, several experts from the Finnish Environment Institute, University of Helsinki, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, University of Copenhagen, University of Bergen, University of Iceland, Centre of Estonian Rural Research and Knowledge, Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies will work together to strengthen transdisciplinary approaches and know how across the Nordic and Baltic countries for more systemic and effective sustainability actions.
Contact
Minna Kaljonen, Finnish Environment Insititute