A new postgraduate school focusing on food sustainability is to be opened in Canterbury.
The school’s aim is to support the transition to more future-focused, sustainable food systems and preparation in New Zealand, and is a joint project between the University of Canterbury (UC), Lincoln University (LU), Plant & Food Research, Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research and AgResearch.
The theme of the school is Food Transitions 2050. A new, official name will be gifted to the school at a later stage.
A collaboration at postgraduate and research level, the school will focus on creating solutions to complement existing food innovation initiatives in NZ.
It will have particular emphasis on zero carbon futures, water, international transportation, plant-based diets, rural economies, artificial intelligence and technical transitions.
Foundational students are already applying to the school, attracted by the transdisciplinary and Matauranga Māori research (co-designed with mana whenua) spanning food and future landscapes, food for a carbon-zero future, food consumer transitions and food governance.
Plant & Food Research chief executive officer David Hughes says that by bringing together all of these organisations it was creating a new platform for integrative research that will create impact for many years to come.
“We are really excited to be part of collaboration involving two universities and three crown research institutes that will enhance the opportunities for postgraduate scholars to tackle food transitions – one of the most important challenges of our time,” Hughes says.
“Science that is looking hard at our future food systems is essential to protect the future wellbeing of our species and the environment that we depend on.”
AgResearch chief executive Dr Sue Bidrose says they were thrilled to be part of this new postgraduate school concept.
“We’re fortunate at AgResearch to have highly experienced scientists who are experts in their fields, and through this new virtual community, our scientists will be able to mentor and help develop a host of talented researchers of the future,” she says.
LU acting vice-chancellor Professor Bruce McKenzie says the school will be instrumental in attracting and growing talent in the land-based sector.
“We are effectively enhancing postgraduate research volume and quality and encouraging more people to study and work in the land-based sector to meet industry demands for skills and capability, increased productivity and tackle future technical changes,” McKenzie says.
Collaborating with the other institutes allowed them to make the most of their collective expertise in how food is produced in Canterbury and beyond, Manaaki Whenua chief executive Dr Richard Gordon says.
UC vice-chancellor Professor Cheryl de la Rey echoed that sentiment.
“Our new postgraduate school highlights this partnership’s bold vision of working toward securing the future of food, and the joint contribution our researchers can make in the areas of food equity, food intelligence and food innovation,” she says.
LU assistant vice-chancellor of Māori and Pasifika Dr Dione Payne says the inclusion of Vision Mātauranga, a key component of the project and PhD proposal process, was a great step forward.
“Although we are at the beginning of our journey, it is clear there is a commitment to ensuring authentic engagement with Māori and that Mātauraka Māori is valued amongst all the partners,” Payne says.
