Global Environment and Society Academy Innovation Initiative Fund (GBP 500)

The GESA IIF will help to pay for a collaborative workshop in November 2015, hosted by FRIED (Food Researchers in Edinburgh), Soil Association Scotland and Edible Edinburgh. The workshop is entitled ‘Achieving Healthy and Sustainable Food in Edinburgh’s Universities and Colleges.’ It will bring together, perhaps for the first time, senior policy and decision makers, key influencers, stakeholders, students and expert speakers to discuss healthy and sustainable food across all universities and colleges in Edinburgh, with a view to bringing about practical, positive steps for action whilst also being mindful of ongoing academic debates.

The workshop will generate a number of key action points, which will be developed and documented by a facilitator trained to capture diverse views and to generate positive collective outcomes for such events (we are already in contact with a well-respected facilitator). These action points will direct future meetings and possible workshops under the same theme. The facilitator will also measure the impact of the workshop on attendee’s attitudes and expectations about food provisioning in Edinburgh’s universities and colleges, through a survey distributed after the final discussion.