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Food, Place & Innovation - a Sustainable Food Systems approach Summer School

This Summer School for Master and PhD students in Bornholm addresses the global need for food systems change from a local systems perspective.

Food systems are in a state of change. Deforestation and exhaustion of soil and land resources is a problem, water scarcity, loss of biodiversity are serious challenges for cities and regions. Unsustainable eating patterns and food waste needs to be addressed. As a result there is an increased focus on how nature, food and agriculture interact and how biodiversity and climate is affected by food production and consumption. This recognition is increasingly being the subject to planning and development efforts at city and regional level.

The Summer School Food, Place & Innovation - a Sustainable Food Systems approach argues that all food systems are rooted in a local cultural context. It is place-based and in that sense food systems change can be understood as a perfect example of placemaking. It evolves the Food Systems case of Bornholm – Denmark's food island with an impressive record of food and food systems innovation. 

Registration fee

A registration fee of EUR 375 will be charged per participant. It covers administration, transport and meals during the course.

Course themes

The course is developed around four themes:

  • Theme 1: Tasting the future food systems – towards an edible experience economy?

The idea of foods and their places as a unique identifier of products and services is attracting attention. In this theme we will explore the senses, the culinary and its narratives. We will look at how the terroir and its bio properties as well as its cultural heritage plays a role in developing creating the places of food.

  • Theme 2: Rethinking the land & cultivating the Urban - urban farming for city-regions.

Innovation in food systems cannot be done without a rethinking of the way we use the land. Increased plant production, reduction of animal husbandry and protection of soil and biodiversity are important components if this theme. We will explore new way of land-use, vertical farming practices and urban gardening and farming in cities

  • Theme 3: Capacities & change strategies for future food systems – education & policies.

Using the food and its place for innovation purposes involves creativity, learning and good change strategies. In this theme we explore the role of capacities and change making in food systems transformation. We look at the role of education both for professions, for citizens and most importantly also for young people in primary education.

  • Theme 4: Supply and food systems – safeguarding resilient food systems.

The COVID crisis has clearly shown that resilience of food systems is an important aspect for food security of populations. In this theme we look at how citizen engagement has shifted and at how digital technologies might enable a new connectivity and sense of connectedness among farm2fork actors.

The Summer School is arranged by Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management at the University of Copenhagen in cooperation with the Bioeconomy Graduate Research School at Lund University and Gaarden at Melstedgaard, Bornholm. The Course Credits are issued by UCPH Science PhD programme.

Application deadline: Sunday, 7 August at 23.45.

Apply now!

Read more about the Summer School