News
The latest news from the Global Academy for Agriculture and Food Systems.
Warning labels could reduce appetite for red meat
Study provides insights into the effects of warning labels and taxes on red meat purchases.
Media bias may frame food system debate
Media channels placed emphasis on individual responsibility rather than systemic change in response to a nationwide food systems review, study finds.
Caution urged over updates to key food dataset
Changes to methods used to calculate national consumption of key commodities gives rise to discrepancies.
Survey to understand eating habits of young Scots
National campaign aims to capture details of dietary habits, to inform Government policy and guidance.
University and ILRI renew livestock research partnership
Renewed Memorandum of Understanding creates research alliance to transform food systems and enhance sustainable livestock production.
Antibiotic tax could be as effective as a ban, study shows
A tax on antimicrobial drugs for livestock animals could help mitigate the rise of drug resistance while raising revenue, a modelling study indicates.
Summer school focuses on infectious disease research
International initiative helps early career scientists develop their skills in studying infectious diseases.
Traditional agriculture can support planetary health
Experts highlight the importance of the traditions of sustainable resource use efficiency in smallholder farming, and identify areas for innovation.
Policymakers advised on actions toward healthy diets
Nutrition experts offer guidelines for action at local levels to support healthy diet and weight across populations.
Expert group tackles economics of antimicrobial resistance
Global Academy researcher joins team advising global initiative on economic challenges linked to antimicrobial resistance.
Study spotlights factors affecting antibiotic resistance
Effective disease management, responsible antimicrobial medicine use, and socioeconomic factors influence antibiotic resistance in European livestock.
Landmark report on diet paves way to future research
Review of EAT-Lancet Commission’s report impact sets out direction of travel for studies into sustainable, healthy diets.
Women key to crop success in low-income countries
Empowering women farmers in low and middle-income countries can lead to greater crop diversity – helping to improve year-round supply of healthy foods.
Livestock policies should reflect diverse views, study finds
Research reveals how an influence of worldviews and values shape stakeholders’ perspectives towards developing a more sustainable livestock sector.
Professor Lisa Boden appointed new Head of the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies
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.
Meeting focuses on antimicrobials in livestock
Symposium gathers experts to focus on key challenges in antimicrobial use and resistance in livestock and aquaculture.
University partnership unveils agricultural strategy
A group of UK universities has collaborated on a research strategy to respond to major challenges faced by the agriculture sector.
Food politics trailblazer welcomes Edinburgh Medal award
Professor Marion Nestle joins Q&A to reflect on recognition for influential career in food studies.
Expert report sets out path to living with bird flu risk
Document summarises current situation and details how to manage threat of outbreaks.
Science can support sustainable beef production, expert claims
Beef can be part of the solution to sustainably feeding a growing global population, researchers suggest.
Parental work in agriculture affects child development
Children are negatively affected when their parents work in farming, and this could be addressed by interventions in child care and women’s empowerment.
Masters programme tackles crises for people and planet
Planetary Health degree seeks to equip graduates to address global issues threatening human, environmental and economic wellbeing.
Smallholder farming benefits nutrition in under-fives
Small-scale livestock agriculture supports nutrition and health in young children and women, a wide-ranging review shows.
Fertiliser costs could lead to undernourishment for millions
Soaring energy and fertiliser prices will be the biggest factors affecting food prices in future decades, modelling analysis shows.
Expert joins panel advising Scottish Government
Researcher appointed to Scottish Scientific Advisory Council, to support work of national Chief Scientific Adviser.
Market conditions key to adoption of gene editing
Consumer acceptance, regulatory frameworks and manageable trade routes will support adoption of sustainable food technology, research suggests.
Death of Professor Alan Raybould
We mourn the sudden loss of our friend and colleague, and celebrate the contribution he made to our work.
Eursafe event focuses on transforming food systems
International meeting considers challenges of sustainably feeding the world’s growing population.
Insects offer sustainable, nutritious food source
Edible insects are a healthy, efficient low-carbon food that is likely to become more accepted in Western diets, according to a report.
Pandemic’s first wave had minimal impact on farming pattern and practices in India
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.
EurSafe conference focuses on food systems
Experts gather in Edinburgh for annual meeting of the European Society for Agricultural and Food Ethics.
Students gather for summer school on One Health
Undergraduates from Una Europa partner universities assemble for two-week event hosted in Edinburgh.
Post-pandemic diet shifts could avert premature deaths
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.
National event focuses on food security challenges
Sector-wide conference examines local and global issues linked to resilience in food supplies.
Campus to host secondary school with focus on STEM
Local high school pupils to benefit from educational facility within University site.
Animal disease centre wins share of £35m funding
EPIC team secures tranche of five-year Scottish Government support for research into animal disease outbreaks.
Staff honoured by students in annual teaching awards
Colleagues recognised for efforts to support learning, in University-wide accolades.
National assessment highlights research excellence
UK Research Excellence Framework results affirm outstanding research environment and impact on society.
Stakeholder study seeks to map future of UK livestock
Researchers engage with sector on transformation of animal agricultural systems.
Natural farming programme halves use of pesticides by farmers
State-led training of farmers in organic farming practices can substantially reduce pesticide use in India, study suggests.
Insight into sales messaging could aid seafood trade
Global variations in marketing approach offer scope for sector developments.
Scientist adds voice to UN climate change report
Food security expert contributes to the latest United Nations report on the state of the world’s climate.
Diseases in spotlight at One Health workshop
Delegates from Scotland and China focus on approaches to zoonotic illnesses.
Varied red meat intake offers scope for alternatives
American adults consume red meat in a range of foods, creating opportunities to introduce meat-free substitutions.
Data science applied to key food systems challenges
Scientists support efforts to define urgent data science questions for food systems sustainability.
Agricultural universities team up on research plan
Agricultural Universities Council unites 16 UK institutions on teaching and research.
Seminar: "Food Systems for Nutrition: Progress in the Last Decade and Future Directions"
Join our seminar on 8th December 2021 at 13.00 hrs (GMT)
Expert joins sustainable livestock event at COP26
Researcher joins panel discussion on future of Brazilian agriculture at UN Climate Change meeting.
Lessons from India on scaling up natural farming
COP26 event will share experiences from large-scale transition to organic farmland in southern India.
Student placement success at SEBI in Livestock
Internship gives insight into data modelling and supportive working cultures.
Students gain experience with FAO internship
United Nations agency’s energy departments host undergraduates for three-week placement.
Student joins international COP26 youth event
Third-year represents his home nation at Youth4Climate Summit, in advance of global gathering in Glasgow.
Welcome to our newly arrived PhD researchers
Newly arrived postgraduate researchers join the Academy community.
Conference: EurSafe 2022 'Transforming Food Systems'
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?
Partnership for data-driven early response to hunger launched
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.
Partnership to deliver data-driven tech to farmers
A collaboration with software firm Trinity AgTech will seek to add value to farming supply chains, with benefits for farmers and society.
Students challenged to eat well for the planet
A month-long meal plan gets under way with the aim of helping students to eat healthily and sustainably.
Health warnings can nudge consumers to eat less meat
Labelling indicating the health risks associated with red meat could help lower consumption, tests show.
Changing markets put pressure on livestock sector
Pressure from consumers, policymakers and investment funds are all reshaping the livestock sector.
Schools have food for thought at Scottish produce webinar
Online event helps pupils and teachers unpick Scotland’s role in the global food sector.
Consensus breaks out on net-zero farming
Farmers, academics and NGOs deliver consensus on the usually contentious subject of farming and climate.
Monocroppers at increased risk of poor diets during Covid lockdown
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.
Student team wins prizes for sexual health project
Linda Initiative wins University Changemaker Award and Leadership prize for programme to support young people.
Virtual student work placement success at Aviagen
Work experience with global company enriches learning experience for undergraduates.
Indian study tracks health benefits of organic farming
Memorandum of Understanding supports collaboration to evaluate effects of large-scale transition to sustainable agriculture.
Young population helps limit Covid-19 impact in Ethiopia
Climate, clean air and other nationwide factors help suppress number of deaths from coronavirus.
Vet profession sustainability champion awarded
Founder of Vet Sustain wins prize for work dedicated to championing sustainability in the veterinary professions.
Award honours support for community initiative
Sustainability prize recognises efforts to deliver food parcels to local people during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Salt content on the rise in vegetarian menu options
Sodium levels in meat-free dishes are increasing, as the consumer trend towards plant-based diets continues.
Students win accolades for leadership efforts
Undergraduates are honoured with Academy prizes for their inspiring work to support others.
Vitamin D in pregnancy does not curb asthma in babies
Analysis of clinical studies finds no evidence to support the use of supplements for mothers-to-be.
Musical memories capture mood of displaced Syrians
Art project with families impacted by unrest creates collection of hummed songs.
Syrian food security initiative wins research support
International collaboration included in UKRI international development research programme awards.
Crop research seeks to support African smallholders
Improved understanding of soil and plant interactions will aid productivity in key crops.
Proxy healthcare measures put Global South patients at risk
People with cardiovascular diseases in low- and middle-income countries are missing out on potentially life-saving treatments.
Insight needed to improve livestock feeding practices
Greater understanding of smallholder farmers’ experiences could help improve livestock feeding and aid productivity and income, research shows.
Covid-19 causes hunger crisis for Syrian refugees
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.
Assessment reveals impact of pet food production
Land equivalent to twice the size of the UK used to make dry food for cats and dogs.
NEW online course in Sustainable Global Food Systems
How do we feed 11 billion people?
Researcher named among world-class fellowship winners
Dr Lindsay Jaacks wins Future Leaders Fellowship from the UK Government.
Infants in poorer regions lack access to diarrhoea therapy
Poor availability of rehydration remedies for under-fives is leaving many without treatment.
UK nations seek to champion animal health and welfare
Food and Farming Futures workshop explores opportunities and interests post-Brexit.
Dr Lindsay Jaacks joins the Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Security
Announcing new appointment
Emissions recycling paves way to sustainable feedstuffs
A single-cell protein for fish and poultry feed developed from industrial CO2 could transform food production systems.
Dr Simon Fraval joins the Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Security
Announcing new appointment
Dr Taddese Zerfu joins the Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Security
Announcing new appointment
Global Academy of Agriculture COVID-19 Response
COVID-19 Pandemic: Impact on our health and food systems.
Cattle diet software helps sustainable production
A newly developed algorithm processes a range of complex factors to define the optimum feed for sustainable animal growth.
Take our survey on postgraduate Data-Driven Animal and Plant Breeding and Genetics
We would like to hear your views
The Planetary Health Game
In the Planetary Health Game, players battle to keep people, the planet and their own businesses healthy.
Climate lessons could aid antibiotics challenge
Rising antimicrobial resistance, fuelled by overuse of treatments, could be curbed with a framework inspired by climate change targets.
Zimbabwe GCRF Foundation Award Visit
Our scientists and partners visit Zimbabwe as part of a GCRF foundation award.
Palm Oil Production Film
Dr Fiona Borthwick explains the complex landscape of palm oil production and methods of sustainable development for the future.
First birthday for Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Security
The Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Security celebrates its first birthday this week.
Professor Geoff Simm: Inaugural lecture: Thought for Food - Food for Thought?
You can now watch the Inaugural Lecture given by Professor Geoff Simm, Director of the Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Security.
Second Round of Projects Funded by Edinburgh Sydney Partnership Collaboration Awards
The latest projects to be funded by the Edinburgh Sydney Partnership Collaboration Awards have been announced.
Can we change course on the global livestock feed industry's environmental impact?
Q&A with Alan Duncan, Visiting Professor at the Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Security and ILRI Livestock Feed Specialist.
Innovative data-driven Fellowships available
The University has announced a number of prestigious new fellowships for highly talented researchers focused on data-driven innovation.
Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Security, works with Edinburgh Global Research and Partnership Fund
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.
Launch of the Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Security
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.
Global Academy – Global Recruitment
It’s been a busy few months for the Global Academy with applications for 2018 Entry open to potential students.
Agriculture workshop examines drone use to boost harvests
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.
Launching a new Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Security
A new Global Academy is bringing experts together to find solutions to the world's key food issues.