New Centre of Excellence for Food Security at the University

The University proposes to establish a new Centre of Excellence in Food Security.

The Centre will be an ‘umbrella’ that brings together food-related activities across the University, raising visibility internally and externally. This includes the Scottish Food Security Alliance (SFSA)-crops, SFSA-seafood, International Centre for Aquaculture Research and Development (iCARD), the Marine Collaboration Research Forum (MarCRF), Marine Alliance for Science and Technology for Scotland (MASTS), the Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC) and the Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health (RINH), and will harness the power of the Centre for Genome Enabled Biology and Medicine (CGEBM).   The Centre aims to raise our external presence and enable the University to have global reach in food security. It will work across scales, positioning us to comment/respond on behalf of the University rather than as individuals. It will provide us with a stronger foothold in government (Scottish/UK) activity and will aim to be the international partner of choice for Food Security researchers on EU and other international projects, through close partnering with other leading European and International partners.   A Centre bringing together the different components of food security opens up new research, education and translational horizons, raises visibility and presence on the global ‘food’ stage, builds critical mass (‘glue’ appointments), and attracts key staff, partners of choice and industry investment.   It will help facilitate widened involvement in food security across CLSM, Geosciences, Chemistry, Law, Business, CSID and as well as bringing together existing alliances/links. It will enable us to strengthen links to UK, Scottish and international Food and Drink Industry, and to key groups e.g. FDF, other key trade associations, e.g. to levy bodies such as Seafish, Dairy UK etc. and to key intermediaries such as enterprise agencies. Also strong links to producers, food chain supply networks, retailers and food service providers via e.g. Cool Farm Tool and SARIC.   This activity will enhance our UG/PGT curriculum, student recruitment (signposting), experience, and employability through a suite of MSc/BSc in Food-related subjects.   The aim of this meeting is to present the background on the new Centre of Excellence in Food Security, to provide an opportunity to explore how your work could contribute to the new Centre, and to develop a shared vision for the Centre moving forward.   Members of staff who would like to attend please register via Melanie McCann (m.mccann@abdn.ac.uk) stating any dietary requirements by midday on Wednesday 20^th January 2016.   An agenda will be sent to attendees in due course.

Venue

The Sir Duncan Rice Library - Craig Suite 7th Floor Meeting Room

Contact

Melanie McCann m.mccann@abdn.ac.uk