Tuesday, 19 September, 11am to 12.30pm

Lower Aula, University of Galway

A free in-person event for University of Galway staff – free lunch included.

To reserve your spot, click here.

Today’s global food systems are responsible for one-third of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, immense biodiversity loss, environmental pollution and natural resource degradation. With about 750 million people facing hunger, 3 billion people unable to afford a healthy diet, and one third of the world’s population affected by overweight and obesity, it is clear that contemporary agrifood systems are also failing on human health. Furthermore, they are characterised by gross inequalities, corporate power concentrations and uncoordinated institutions for governance.

We are the Sustainable World Section of the School of Biological Sciences in the University of Galway.

Join us in the Lower Aula at University of Galway to discuss the challenges contemporary food systems pose to human and planetary health, along with technological innovations to address these challenges from the forefront of research, and mechanisms for driving science into political decision-making on food. With experts from international development, food security, environmental engineering, marine resources and policy development, we look to the SDGs as a framework for structuring food systems change and, importantly, we will ask if all food systems actors have the appetite for change.

Speakers are:

Gretta Fitzgerald, Food Security & Nutrition, Policy & Advocacy Adviser at Concern Worldwide

David Styles, Associate Professor in Agri-Sustainability

Ronan Sulpice, Lecturer in School of Biological and Chemical Sciences

Rachel McArdle, Lecturer in Cultural, Urban and Human Geography

Adam Mullins, Astrophysics student and founder of the Student Pantry

Anne Mullen, Lecturer in Nutrition and Sustainable Food Systems

Olivier Thomas, Professor in Marine Biodiscovery and head of School of Biological and Chemical Sciences