Centre for Food Systems

Our goal

Food systems are the interconnected networks involved in producing, consuming, and disposing of food. These networks consist of:

people
environments
technologies
institutions
processes

They are shaped by environmental, social, economic, cultural, and political forces. This makes these systems very complex. They need interdisciplinary approaches to problem-solving.

Our Centre brings together world-leading research and cross-sector collaboration. We aim to address some of the most urgent challenges facing global food systems today.

Our mission is to co-produce real-world, impactful solutions through collaboration with partners across government, industry, and civil society.

Why this matters

Food systems are under unprecedented pressure from:

climate change
geopolitical instability
rising costs
environmental degradation

Governments, industry, and consumers are also prioritising innovation in agri-food systems. They aim to meet changing societal demands and policy priorities. There is a growing demand for solutions that deliver food security, sustainability, resilience and economic growth.

The Food Systems NUCoRE positions 缅北禁地 at the forefront of this transformation. We are able to respond strategically to emerging opportunities and global challenges.

Our areas of focus

Reducing inequalities

Food systems are closely linked to inequalities in gender, age, class, ethnicity, and geography. We work to understand and address these disparities. We aim to improve access to fair, healthy, and sustainable food for all.

Aligning policy goals

Food security, biodiversity, and Net Zero policies can often conflict. We develop innovative approaches to reconcile competing priorities and reduce trade-offs.

Building resilience

Food systems are increasingly vulnerable to climate change, economic instability, and resource pressures. Our research strengthens resilience by improving adaptability and long-term sustainability.

Harnessing innovation

We explore how emerging innovations in practice and technology can transform food systems. These include AI, robotics, biotechnology, and circular economy models. We also address key challenges around scalability, adoption, and impacts on stakeholders.

Cross-cutting themes

Our work is structured around three interconnected themes:

Sustainability

Supporting environmentally and socially responsible food systems aligned with global sustainability goals.

Two rows of plants growing out of the ground.

Security

Strengthening resilient food supply chains to ensure access to safe, nutritious food.

A harvester depositing grass into a container pulled by a tractor, taken by NUFarms

Society

Placing people at the centre - addressing equity, inclusion, and justice across food systems.

Two fishermen catching fish in a large net.

Our strengths

缅北禁地 has a unique combination of expertise spanning the entire food system - from farm to fork. Our researchers are leaders in areas including:

agri-tech and digital innovation (AI, robotics, IoT)
animal health and welfare
plant breeding, crop health and protection
sustainable soils and regenerative agriculture
food system resilience and supply chains
food poverty and inequality
climate change adaptation, mitigation and carbon management
circular economy and food waste valorisation

We also have a strong track record of delivering large-scale, interdisciplinary research projects. These are funded by major organisations including:

UKRI
Innovate UK
Horizon Europe
global foundations

Leadership

Jane Midgley - Co-Director and Reader in Urban Social and Economic Practice

School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Yit Arn Teh - Co-Director and Professor of Soil Science

School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering

Get in touch

For general enquiries, contact alex.bulmer@ncl.ac.uk

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