Food Policy, Nutrition and Dietetics research
The Food Policy, Nutrition and Dietetics (FPND) research group is one of three research areas affiliated to the Centre for Agriculture, Food and Environmental Management (CAFEM).
Food Policy research at University of Hertfordshire has an international reputation with a number of international collaborations. The research covers food and agricultural policies and governance for sustainable food systems.
The research attracts external funding from:
- The European Commission
- Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)
- UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) Strategic Priorities and Policy Support Funds
- Food Standards Agency
- Charitable Trusts
Nutrition and Dietetics research encompasses a wide range of projects from public health nutrition to clinical dietetics and applied nutrition science, with the aim of improving human health and wellbeing, particularly in vulnerable groups.
The team have considerable expertise collaborating with external academic partners, charity organisations, the National Health Service and other public services.
Our researchers have been funded by the European Commission, British Nutrition Foundation and European Food Safety Authority.
Postgraduate Research in Food Policy, Nutrition and Dietetics
Ideas from students and potential collaborators are welcome. A pathway through Master of Research (MRes by Research) and Master of Philosophy (MPhil) to Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is available to graduates with a relevant first degree.
For information about out undergraduate courses, please visit the BSc (Hons) Dietetics programme page.
Current PhD projects:
| Student | Project title | Supervisors |
|---|---|---|
| Poppy Hawkins | The role of diet on non-GI autoimmune conditions (2021-2024) | Dr Rosalind Fallaize, Professor David Barling, Dr Kate Earl, Dr Athanasios Tektonidis |
| Caroline Dunn | Resilience in the Coffee Supply Chain (2021-2024) | Professor Jonathan Morris, Professor David Barling |
| Srila Satoh | Evaluation of healthy lifestyle interventions for overweight and obese young people aged 5-15 years (2019-2023) | Dr Angela Madden, Dr Rosalind Fallaize |
| Amelie Andree | Delivering a healthy and sustainable food economy in the Letchworth Garden City (2017-2022) | Dr Susan Parham, Professor David Barling |
Funding
Some notable recent research funding successes include:
| Project title | Description | Funding source |
|---|---|---|
| Valumics | Understanding Food Value Chain Dynamics and Networks (2017- 21) | EU Horizon 2020 under the Sustainable Food Security theme and a collaboration with 21 European and international partner institutions. |
| Britain's Food Policy and Food Security | Integration opportunities and transition pathways (2020-22) | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, Research England’s Quality-related Research Strategic Priorities Fund and charitable donations. |
| Sustainable UK beef and sheep production and food systems | Achieving sustainable UK beef and sheep production and food systems in a changing environment (2018-22) | Cadogan Charity in collaboration with the Royal Veterinary College |
| Optimising evidence for policy making | Policy tools for UK food policy stakeholders to apply to bridging the evidence policy gap on sustainable diets (2021-2022) | Food Standards Agency in collaboration and led by York University |
| BeanMeals | Mainstreaming UK-grown beans in healthy meals (2022-24) | UKRI Transforming UK Food Systems Programme (BBSRC) |
Staff
