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Information about the Global Agriculture and Food Systems Symposium 2025

Survey of eating habits shows need for action by policymakers, industry, schools and communities to support healthier diets.

One Health evaluation approach links animal welfare, productivity and environmental impact to guide sustainable farming practices.

Reduced serving sizes account for over half of the decline in UK meat consumption, outpacing other behaviours such as meat-free days, study finds.

Marketing strategies, cultural considerations and targeted messaging could be key to boosting global demand for organic foods and beverages, review finds.

Experts highlight hotspots for cattle feed scarcity and suggest solutions to optimise the use of existing supply through evidence-based decision making.

A University of Edinburgh co-directed research network has received a £650,000 UKRI award to engage with communities and policymakers across the UK to reduce the AMR burden.

Reducing consumption of processed meat by around one-third could prevent more than 350,000 cases of diabetes in the US over 10 years, a study suggests.

Interactive infographics aid in understanding the nutritional and environmental impact of different diets across the globe.

Study provides insights into the effects of warning labels and taxes on red meat purchases.

Media channels placed emphasis on individual responsibility rather than systemic change in response to a nationwide food systems review, study finds.

Changes to methods used to calculate national consumption of key commodities gives rise to discrepancies. 

National campaign aims to capture details of dietary habits, to inform Government policy and guidance.

Renewed Memorandum of Understanding creates research alliance to transform food systems and enhance sustainable livestock production.

A tax on antimicrobial drugs for livestock animals could help mitigate the rise of drug resistance while raising revenue, a modelling study indicates.

International initiative helps early career scientists develop their skills in studying infectious diseases.

Experts highlight the importance of the traditions of sustainable resource use efficiency in smallholder farming, and identify areas for innovation.

Nutrition experts offer guidelines for action at local levels to support healthy diet and weight across populations.

Global Academy researcher joins team advising global initiative on economic challenges linked to antimicrobial resistance.

Effective disease management, responsible antimicrobial medicine use, and socioeconomic factors influence antibiotic resistance in European livestock.

Review of EAT-Lancet Commission’s report impact sets out direction of travel for studies into sustainable, healthy diets.

Empowering women farmers in low and middle-income countries can lead to greater crop diversity – helping to improve year-round supply of healthy foods.

Research reveals how an influence of worldviews and values shape stakeholders’ perspectives towards developing a more sustainable livestock sector.

A leading specialist in veterinary public health and population medicine has been appointed as the new Head of the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies.

Symposium gathers experts to focus on key challenges in antimicrobial use and resistance in livestock and aquaculture.

A group of UK universities has collaborated on a research strategy to respond to major challenges faced by the agriculture sector.

Professor Marion Nestle joins Q&A to reflect on recognition for influential career in food studies.

Document summarises current situation and details how to manage threat of outbreaks.

Beef can be part of the solution to sustainably feeding a growing global population, researchers suggest.

Children are negatively affected when their parents work in farming, and this could be addressed by interventions in child care and women’s empowerment.

Planetary Health degree seeks to equip graduates to address global issues threatening human, environmental and economic wellbeing.

Small-scale livestock agriculture supports nutrition and health in young children and women, a wide-ranging review shows.

Soaring energy and fertiliser prices will be the biggest factors affecting food prices in future decades, modelling analysis shows.

Researcher appointed to Scottish Scientific Advisory Council, to support work of national Chief Scientific Adviser.

Consumer acceptance, regulatory frameworks and manageable trade routes will support adoption of sustainable food technology, research suggests.

We mourn the sudden loss of our friend and colleague, and celebrate the contribution he made to our work.

International meeting considers challenges of sustainably feeding the world’s growing population.

Edible insects are a healthy, efficient low-carbon food that is likely to become more accepted in Western diets, according to a report.

Indian farmers experienced disrupted labour, supply chains, and access to credit and markets owing to Covid-19, but did not significantly shift their cropping patterns and cultivation practices, research led by the Global Academy and Council on Energy, Environment and Water shows.

Experts gather in Edinburgh for annual meeting of the European Society for Agricultural and Food Ethics.

Undergraduates from Una Europa partner universities assemble for two-week event hosted in Edinburgh.

Covid-19 recovery plans should focus on healthier diets as much as economic growth to prevent huge numbers of avoidable deaths, research involving the Global Academy suggests.

Sector-wide conference examines local and global issues linked to resilience in food supplies.

Local high school pupils to benefit from educational facility within University site.

EPIC team secures tranche of five-year Scottish Government support for research into animal disease outbreaks.

Colleagues recognised for efforts to support learning, in University-wide accolades.

UK Research Excellence Framework results affirm outstanding research environment and impact on society.

Researchers engage with sector on transformation of animal agricultural systems.

State-led training of farmers in organic farming practices can substantially reduce pesticide use in India, study suggests.

Global variations in marketing approach offer scope for sector developments.

Food security expert contributes to the latest United Nations report on the state of the world’s climate.

Delegates from Scotland and China focus on approaches to zoonotic illnesses.

American adults consume red meat in a range of foods, creating opportunities to introduce meat-free substitutions.

Scientists support efforts to define urgent data science questions for food systems sustainability.

Join our seminar on 8th December 2021 at 13.00 hrs (GMT)

Researcher joins panel discussion on future of Brazilian agriculture at UN Climate Change meeting.

COP26 event will share experiences from large-scale transition to organic farmland in southern India. 

Internship gives insight into data modelling and supportive working cultures.

United Nations agency’s energy departments host undergraduates for three-week placement.

Third-year represents his home nation at Youth4Climate Summit, in advance of global gathering in Glasgow.

How do we provide safe and nutritious food for all, faced with the challenges of achieving net zero carbon, tackling social inequalities and degraded environments, and meeting the ethical expectations of our societies?

Leading research and humanitarian agencies have joined forces to harness data and technology in a bid to stop climate shocks resulting in hunger in vulnerable livestock farming communities.

A collaboration with software firm Trinity AgTech will seek to add value to farming supply chains, with benefits for farmers and society.

A month-long meal plan gets under way with the aim of helping students to eat healthily and sustainably.

Labelling indicating the health risks associated with red meat could help lower consumption, tests show.

Pressure from consumers, policymakers and investment funds are all reshaping the livestock sector.

Online event helps pupils and teachers unpick Scotland’s role in the global food sector.

Farmers, academics and NGOs deliver consensus on the usually contentious subject of farming and climate.

During the most restrictive part of COVID-19 lockdown in India, farmers planting only one type of crop were more likely to experience a decline in diet quality than those cultivating two or more.

Linda Initiative wins University Changemaker Award and Leadership prize for programme to support young people.

Work experience with global company enriches learning experience for undergraduates.

Memorandum of Understanding supports collaboration to evaluate effects of large-scale transition to sustainable agriculture.

Climate, clean air and other nationwide factors help suppress number of deaths from coronavirus.

Founder of Vet Sustain wins prize for work dedicated to championing sustainability in the veterinary professions.

Sustainability prize recognises efforts to deliver food parcels to local people during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Sodium levels in meat-free dishes are increasing, as the consumer trend towards plant-based diets continues.

Undergraduates are honoured with Academy prizes for their inspiring work to support others.

Analysis of clinical studies finds no evidence to support the use of supplements for mothers-to-be.

Art project with families impacted by unrest creates collection of hummed songs.

International collaboration included in UKRI international development research programme awards.

Improved understanding of soil and plant interactions will aid productivity in key crops.

People with cardiovascular diseases in low- and middle-income countries are missing out on potentially life-saving treatments.

Greater understanding of smallholder farmers’ experiences could help improve livestock feeding and aid productivity and income, research shows.

Travel restrictions, loss of livelihoods and rising food prices caused by the coronavirus outbreak are affecting Syrian refugees in border regions in the Middle East.

Land equivalent to twice the size of the UK used to make dry food for cats and dogs.

How do we feed 11 billion people?

Dr Lindsay Jaacks wins Future Leaders Fellowship from the UK Government.

Poor availability of rehydration remedies for under-fives is leaving many without treatment.

Food and Farming Futures workshop explores opportunities and interests post-Brexit.

Announcing new appointment

A single-cell protein for fish and poultry feed developed from industrial CO2 could transform food production systems.

Announcing new appointment

Announcing new appointment

COVID-19 Pandemic: Impact on our health and food systems.

A newly developed algorithm processes a range of complex factors to define the optimum feed for sustainable animal growth.

In the Planetary Health Game, players battle to keep people, the planet and their own businesses healthy.

Rising antimicrobial resistance, fuelled by overuse of treatments, could be curbed with a framework inspired by climate change targets.

Our scientists and partners visit Zimbabwe as part of a GCRF foundation award.

Dr Fiona Borthwick explains the complex landscape of palm oil production and methods of sustainable development for the future.

The Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Security celebrates its first birthday this week.

You can now watch the Inaugural Lecture given by Professor Geoff Simm, Director of the Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Security.

The latest projects to be funded by the Edinburgh Sydney Partnership Collaboration Awards have been announced.

Q&A with Alan Duncan, Visiting Professor at the Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Security and ILRI Livestock Feed Specialist.

The University has announced a number of prestigious new fellowships for highly talented researchers focused on data-driven innovation.

The Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Security is very happy to be working with the Edinburgh Global Research and Partnership Fund, to support the development of Edinburgh’s global partnership community.

Bill Gates and Government Minister Penny Mordaunt have formally launched the Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Security, a £35 million research and teaching initiative focused on safeguarding the future of the world’s food supplies, during a visit to the University’s Easter Bush campus.

It’s been a busy few months for the Global Academy with applications for 2018 Entry open to potential students.

Experts are meeting in Africa to explore how drones and other remote sensing tools may be able to help farmers make better use of their land.

A new Global Academy is bringing experts together to find solutions to the world's key food issues.