Diet and health-related research funding increasingly focusses on academic and industry collaboration. But how can we work across sectors – bridging researchers, food sector businesses and stakeholders – more effectively?

A webinar held on 14 May explored the critical role of collaboration in research and development in helping to bridge the gap between UK research and translation to find impactful and innovative real-life solutions to some of the major diet and health-related challenges.

During the webinar, keynote presentations, case studies and panel discussions from across academia and agri-food sectors explored academic-industry partnerships. Opportunities, barriers and solutions to overcoming some of challenges faced in building and facilitating interdisciplinary capability were also highlighted. The importance of wider cross-sector collaboration with policymakers and civil society was also addressed.

Who should watch?

This webinar may be relevant to you if you work in research (Early Career Researcher, mid-level or senior), the food industry, innovation, civil society or policy and have an interest in diet and health research.

Catch up on recordings from the event below.

 

Setting the Scene – the importance of research collaboration to tackle the big diet challenges

Featuring talks from:

  • Sara Stanner, Science Director, British Nutrition Foundation on diet at the centre of the UK health crisis
  • Dr Lauren Struszczak, Senior Scientist, British Nutrition Foundation on the collaborative research landscape
  • Rodrigo Ledesma Amaro, Director, Bezos Centre for Sustainable Protein on collaboration to move sustainable diets into the future

Keynotes: Working with each other – Research across boundaries to deliver change

  • The View from an Academic: Prof Wendy Hall, Head of Department of Nutritional Sciences and OIRC Funding Award Recipient
  • The View from the Food Sector: Dr Sue Gatenby, Senior Director, Nutrition Sciences, PepsiCo and OIRC Co-Lead

Case Studies – Exploring real world collaboration benefits and challenges

  • Hannah Skeggs, IGD and Dr Victoria Jenneson, University of Leeds
  • Prof Benjamin Wall, University of Exeter
  • Dr Laura Wilkinson, University of Swansea

Panel of academics and food sector experts:

  • Prof Philip Calder (Chair), University of Southampton
  • Prof Martin Warren, Quadram Institute
  • Rob Kidd (Independent Consultant across the food chain)
  • Holly Neill, Yakult
  • Dr Kelsey Karnik, THIS

Concluding talks

  • From Partnership to Progress: OIRC Reflections – Dr Gemma Walton, PI OIRC Inform Hub
  • Collaborating for Impact: How collaboration can act as a catalyst for nutrition science and innovation for the health of people and planet – Rachel Carey, Chief Scientist, Zinc