International Collaboration Circle (CollabCircle) on
“Food, Nutrition & Society”
Who can apply? This event is open to all researchers, students, staff and external partners.
Dates:
- 14 March 2025
- 21 March 2025
- 28 March 2025
Duration: 90 min (12:00 – 13:30 CET),
Location: Online via zoom
Application deadline: February 28, 2025
ENGAGE.EU is an alliance of leading European universities in business, economics, law, and social sciences. Its objective is to equip European citizens with the requisite skills and competencies to navigate the challenges of the future
The Collaboration Circle aims to identify relevant and practical research questions by collaboratively defining challenges through a structured process. This will serve as the foundation for future research and collaboration projects.
Topic
The role of food and nutrition as a central element of society is one of the major global
megatrends and is linked to multiple SDGs. In Mannheim, as in other ENGAGE.EU universities and among societal partners, it represents an important field of research from diverse perspectives. This theme intersects with major challenges and fields – among others: public health, environmental impact, food security and accessibility, cultural and social dimensions, employment, (sustainable) food management, economy and hospitality – and demands a holistic, multidisciplinary approach.
Workshop format
The “Food, Nutrition & Society” Collaboration Circle is a targeted, three-session online workshop series designed to connect university researchers, faculty, administrative staff, and external partners around the theme of food and nutrition within societal contexts.
The CollabCircle seeks to address pressing issues at the intersection of food systems, nutrition science, public health, and socio-economic factors that influence food choices and sustainability.
By focusing on collaborative problem definition, this thematic circle fosters engagement and lays the groundwork for impactful research addressing real-world needs.
The first Collaboration Circle will include at least three ENGAGE.EU universities.
Participants will represent three key groups:
- Researchers
- external partners
- students
Focal points of the sessions
Session 1: Introduction and Prioritization,
Session 2: Deep Dive into Problem Areas
Session 3: Finalization of Research Questions
Methodology and Approach
- Participatory Approach: Highly interactive sessions with discussions, group work, and exercises to incorporate all perspectives.
- Networking: Promote long-term relationships and collaborations among participants.
What´s in it for you?
In-depth problem definition and needs assessment:
The group will work together to identify key issues in food and nutrition, such as access to healthy food, sustainable production, and public health impacts. Participants from various sectors will contribute their perspectives to align objectives, assess needs, and ensure a holistic understanding of the food and nutrition ecosystem.
Exploration of interdisciplinary research questions:
A key outcome will be the development of targeted research questions that address real-world needs and align with the focus areas identified in discussions.
The outcome of the collaboration circle may serve as a platform in other ENGAGE.EU activities. Research questions can be deepened in researchers ‘networks, while challenges may be formulated in the Expedition Week+ format. The sessions will foster academic and professional connections, enabling participants to build networks for ongoing research and new initiatives. By linking academic insights with the practical needs of industry and community partners, the circle creates a bridge between research institutions and applied settings. Furthermore, entrepreneurial/market opportunities in Food/Nutrition innovation are not to underestimate: health-focused products, sustainable food/packaging/consuming solutions, innovative distribution/supply chain models, food literacy/education formats, community-based business/ventures/consuming models have a chance to impact and engage the society at large and to be a base for new business and entrepreneurial concepts.
How to apply
Interested participants must submit a CV and a one-page motivation letter by Friday, February 28th 2025, to Francesco Leone at leone@uni-mannheim.de
More information
Please contact:
Julia Derkau, University of Mannheim (derkau@uni-mannheim.de)
Francesco Leone, University of Mannheim (leone@uni-mannheim.de)