Sustainability Transition of Food Systems

About

During the course, students will gain an understanding of sustainable food manufacturing and current food system transitions. The intensive course provides a holistic view of food systems, considering critical aspects such as processing, environment, economics, and social factors and their roles, capacities, and approaches in the sustainability transition

Course leader

Samuel Perez Vega, Assistant Professor, LUT University, Marjo Pöysä, Postdoctoral researcher, LUT University

Target group

Suitable for B.Sc. and M.Sc.

Course aim

After completion of the course, students will be able to:

• Understand the aspects of food processing.
• Recognize the critical factors for process intensification for increased sustainability.
• Economic considerations in sustainable food manufacturing.
• Understand the elements of the sustainability transition in food systems.
• Recognize the different actors in the food system and their capacities in sustainability transition.
• Recognize justice issues and various ethical perspectives on food systems and sustainability transition.

Content:

The course is preceded by an independent study of the topic through literature. It starts with introductory lectures, which are followed by thematic group work. At the end of the course, the group work results will be presented and discussed in a seminar. Finally, an individual essay on one of the course themes will be written.

The course covers the following topics:

• Food processing for increased palatability and preservability.
• Sustainability in food manufacturing and transition aspects of food systems.
• Economic factors in sustainable food systems.
• Systemic approach to food studies, including global and local food systems perspectives.
• Actors and their roles in the food system.
• Justice transition and ethical perspectives. Issues include power relations, food security, poverty, and inequality in food systems.

Mode of study:

The course is preceded by an independent study of the topic through literature. It starts with introductory lectures, which are followed by thematic group work. At the end of the course, the group work results will be presented and discussed in a seminar. Finally, an individual essay on one of the course themes will be written.

• Individual reading work
• Introductory lectures
• Group work and presentations
• Individual essay writing

Total workload 80 hours.

Evaluation: Passed / failed
In order to pass, students should participate in all teaching activities.

Study material:
• Selected journal articles and book chapters are provided as pre-readings
• Literature related to lectures and seminar topics

Prerequisites: No formal prerequisites

Fee info