Hybrid event

Food Systems Science: Establishing a Common Framework and Network

First European Food Systems Science Conference

This year’s event is hybrid, bringing together experts and participants online and onsite in Oxford . Due to space limitations, onsite participation is by invitation only, but we’re making the conference widely accessible through live-streamed plenary sessions and interactive online breakout rooms.

We invite all researchers, policymakers, industry practitioners, early-career researchers and academic institutions to join us from anywhere and be part of the conversation!

Explore the agenda and register for online sessions today.

Agenda

Join the Action Online

Explore engaging sessions you can watch and take part in from anywhere!

Breakout Rooms: Two interactive breakout sessions available for online participants (limited to 30 attendees per session—registration required).
Plenary Sessions: Open to all online participants via live broadcast.

Plenary sessions

Join us for insightful plenary sessions featuring top experts in the field, streamed live for online participants. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with key discussions and thought-provoking talks.

Save the dates in your agenda! On the day of the event, you’ll find the livestream links right here on our website.

Find the full list of livestreamed sessions by clicking the button below.

Breakout Rooms – Online participation

The FoSSNet Conference 2025 offers two interactive online breakout sessions, providing a unique opportunity to contribute to shaping the future of food systems science. Whether you’re an early-career professional or an experienced researcher looking to build a European network, these sessions are designed for you.

Limited spots available – Register by 17 March 2025!

Breakout 1: Fresh Perspectives Needed – Early-Careers’ Contributions to Food Systems Transformation

📅 Date: Wednesday, 26 March 2025 | 🕒 15:00 – 17:00 GMT
📍 Format: Online Breakout Discussion (Zoom) + Expert Roundtable (YouTube Live)
🎯 Who should join? Early-career scientists, PhD candidates, and professionals eager to shape food systems science.

🔹 Share ideas & insights with emerging food systems experts
🔹 Expand your network & connect with peers across Europe
🔹 Contribute to building a more inclusive, innovative scientific community

Find out more

Breakout 2: Co-Creating the Food Systems Science Network

📅 Date: Thursday, 27 March 2025 | 🕘 10:00 – 12:00 GMT
📍 Format: Online Breakout Discussions (Zoom)
🎯 Who should join? Researchers, professionals, and organizations shaping the future of food systems science in Europe.

Help define a Pan-European Food Systems Science Network
Discuss governance, collaboration, and strategic directions
Engage in interactive workshops & contribute to actionable solutions

Overview of the FoSSNet Conference Series

The Food System Science Network (FoSSNet) is launching a groundbreaking, three-part conference series aimed at advancing Food System Science (FSS) in Europe over the next three years. Each conference builds on the last to foster a progressive dialogue and actionable recommendations for stakeholders across academia, industry, civil society and policy.

The series begins with this inaugural conference in Oxford (2025), continues with practical capability building in Lund (2026), and culminates in Brussels (2027) with actionable policy outcomes and a roadmap for establishing a sustainable network organisation.

The audience consists of the EU-funded FoSSNet consortium which brings together leading scholars, with invited scholars and stakeholders in the field of science.

About the Oxford 2025 Conference

The Oxford conference sets the foundation for the series by creating a shared language, conceptual framework, and research priorities that will guide future work and collaboration in food systems science. Through a mix of plenaries, collaborative workshops, and breakout sessions, attendees will contribute to building the necessary frameworks and establishing a European Food System Science Network.

Conference Objectives

Define Core FSS Concepts and Frameworks: Establish a shared understanding of key terms, models, and objectives within food systems science.

Assess the State of Food System Science in Europe: Present recent findings, map out current research and networks, and discuss priorities for the field.

Bridge Science and Practice: Facilitate dialogue on how food systems science can drive meaningful transformation across sectors.

Engage Early-Career Researchers (ECRs): Involve emerging scholars as active contributors to conference goals through collaborative sessions that integrate fresh perspectives in food systems science.

Sessions’ Highlights

Opening Plenary – Emergence of a science field: towards a unifying food systems framework?
In the context of networks, it’s better to view the rapid growth of frameworks as a sign of a vibrant and productive discourse within this emerging scientific field. At FoSSnet, we will develop our own framework as a foundation for network growth, while recognizing that it is not intended to unify the entire field.

Breakout Session – Refining the Framework
Work in breakout groups to collaboratively discuss and refine the proposed conceptual framework, which will serve as the foundation for future conferences.

European Food Systems Science Landscape
Plenary presentations and breakout sessions on the state of food systems science in Europe. Participants will engage with recent mappings of academic, research, and policy networks to explore how food systems science is currently applied.

Building the FoSSNet Network
Through a mix of keynote talks, roundtable discussions, and small-group workshops, attendees will discuss the creation of a European network for food systems science, focusing on functions of the network and stakeholder roles.

Early-Career Researchers’ Contributions
A dedicated session for Early-Career Researchers (ECRs) to actively share insights and innovative ideas in food systems science. ECRs will have a unique platform to contribute directly to core conference goals, collaborate with peers, and engage in meaningful discussions with established experts.

Expected Outcomes

A collaboratively refined framework for food systems science.

A comprehensive map of food system science research, policy, and education initiatives across Europe.

Strategic insights on functions of the FoSSNet that stakeholders value and on actions for building the European Food System Science Network.

Recommendations and guidance for future research and policy priorities in food systems science.

Why you should attend

This conference is ideal for:

Scientists in academia, industry, publishing, civil society and policy: Contribute to foundational frameworks, discuss priorities in research & innovation and education, and expand your network.

Industry Practitioners: Discover how food systems science can drive impactful change in industry and participate in shaping collaborative efforts in transitioning towards sustainable and resilient food system.

Policymakers: Engage with emerging science, connect with experts, and explore how food system science can inform policy solutions.

Network convenors: Connect to other relevant networks in the food and sustainability domain and help establish a network of networks.

Early-Career Researchers: Gain insight into career opportunities in academia, industry and beyond, build essential skills, and connect with leading scholars in the field.

Additional information:

Registration: This invitation-only conference requires registration. Please register using the link below, and contact us with any questions regarding attendance.

Accommodation & Logistics: You can secure your accommodation directly with St Anne’s College using a discount code. Details can be found in the registration form (link below).

Broadcasting: Select sessions will be available for virtual attendance.