Geopolitical instability and climate-related crises are placing increasing pressure on global food systems. Disruptions to supply chains affect food availability, affordability, and accessibility, with major implications for food security locally and worldwide. Their impacts fall hardest on those already facing poverty and inequality.
Birmingham SusFoRk is an interdisciplinary team of academics working across food production, processing, supply, access, consumption, health, policy and sustainability. Together, we examine how climate and geopolitical shocks cascade across food systems, and how shocks, food insecurity and socio-economic inequalities are interlinked. We also explore how technological, circular and public policy solutions can reduce food waste, improve access to affordable, nutritious food and strengthen resilience. Working with communities, industry and policymakers, we aim to inform the transformations needed to build resilient, sustainable and equitable food systems.
Bringing together experts in sustainable consumption, public health, business economics, chemical engineering, biology, policy, sociology, gender studies, development studies, business management, among others, Birmingham SusFoRk takes a holistic approach to addressing local and global food security challenges.
Since its informal inception in 2023, Birmingham SusFoRk has fostered multiple interdisciplinary collaborations and projects addressing experiences of food insecurity and poverty, national food standards in schools, children’s nutrition, sustainable food supply chains design, the role of smart agriculture in improving food security and sustainability, food waste through valorising and bioengineering solutions, and microalgae as an alternative protein and route to clean energy and carbon capture.
Research undertaken by network members has attracted funding from organisations including NIHR, DEFRA, BBSRC, Innovate UK, EPSRC, Horizon Europe, and the Good Food Institute. The network has also established significant external collaborations and international partnerships across Brazil, India, and several African countries.
Birmingham SusFoRk advocates for evidence-based policies and strategic interventions that can strengthen food resilience, improve food security, and support wider efforts to address climate change.
See our recent evidence submission to the 2026 UK parliamentary inquiry on resilience of the UK’s food supply to disruptions.
Read our series of policy briefs prepared for the UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP 28) on Adaptation and building resilience in a changing world (PDF, 1,400KB).
Professor of Marketing and Consumer Research
Caroline researches how ethics, sustainability, and responsibility shape consumer practices, marketing, and markets.
Assistant Professor in Public Health
Dr Bardus is particularly interested in leveraging the persuasive nature of digital technologies to support health promotion and behaviour change.
Assistant Professor (Lecturer)
Taghi's research interests include sustainable food processing, life cycle assessment (LCA), and valorisation of food and agri-industry waste for the circular bioeconomy.
Professor of Sustainable Food Systems
Helen's research interests include microbial responses to environmental stress, use of natural preservatives in food processing, food safety, quality and spoilage and antimicrobial resistance.
Professor of Business Economics
Liza's main research interest is applied international economics.
Project Manager
Claudia is an experienced education professional and project manager with a multidisciplinary background spanning higher education, digital learning, research support, and inclusive education
