FoSSNet Winter School 2027
The FoSSNet Winter School is back for another edition! Building on the experiences of the first Winter School, the 2027 edition follows a similar structure, bringing new faces and a few new ingredients to the recipe.
Under the theme ”Moving from food systems challenges to action”, the Winter School offers a collaborative learning experience for early-career researchers from academia, industry and applied research who want to turn their work into real-world solutions for today’s complex food system challenges.
Through collaboration across diverse perspectives, participants learn to apply systems and entrepreneurial approaches to analyse evidence, co-design practical interventions and translate insights directly into their own research and professional practice.
The Winter School will take place online from 12 to 29 January 2027 (3 weeks), combining live sessions with asynchronous activities.
Register here
The Winter School will help you:
→ Move from research to action – identify how your work can contribute to real-world change.
→ Gain systems-thinking skills – learn to see problems as part of interconnected food systems.
→ Strengthen your impact and communication skills – design pathways to impact and communicate effectively with different stakeholder audiences.
→ Join a European network of peers and mentors committed to sustainable food system transformation.
Who can apply:
• PhD candidates, postdocs, and R&D staff (with ≤7 years of experience)
• Individuals working on food systems topics in academia, research institutes, start-ups, public institutions or industry
• Individuals interested in applying systems and entrepreneurial methods to real-world challenges
Industrial doctorates and other practice-oriented researchers are especially encouraged to apply.
While incorporating some updates, this edition retains the core content of the first Winter School and is intended for participants who have not previously attended.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the Winter School, participants will be able to:
1. Analyse food systems using a soft system approach;
2. Identify key leverage points and decision venues for impact;
3. Define stakeholder-centered value propositions and plausible pathways for creating societal and environmental value;
4. Collaborate to co-create and prioritise solution options;
5. Communicate for impact adjusting your messaging to effectively communicate with different audiences;
6. Identify action interventions for food system transformation;
7. Demonstrate ownership of project goals.
Learning methods
Participants will take part in a range of interactive learning methods designed to help them achieve the desired objectives:
• Live interactive workshops – using soft systems and entrepreneurial methodologies;
• Peer-to-peer coaching – co-developing research impact pathways;
• Practical systems and entrepreneurial exercises;
• Peer feedback – learning from each other’s projects;
• Reflection moments – integrating insights into your own research journey.
Structure & Modules
| Week | Module | Focus |
| Week 1 (12–15 Jan) | Food systems & problem framing | Explore food system challenges and transformation concepts, using systems thinking and entrepreneurial approaches |
| Week 2 (19–22 Jan) | Action interventions for food systems transformation | Design and refine stakeholder-centred interventions and pathways for food systems transformation |
| Week 3 (26–29 Jan) | Implementation and communicating research for impact | Translate research into pathways to impact and communicate its value to different stakeholder audiences |
Live sessions
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays (16:00 – 18:00 CET) each week. These interactive sessions combine short inputs, group work and peer reflection.
Async activities
Between live sessions, participants will also collaborate asynchronously – both in small teams and individually (applying tools and concepts to their own research).
Expect a moderate weekly commitment, allowing time to explore resources, reflect, and prepare short assignments at your own pace.
Certificate
Participants who take part in all modules and complete the key activities will receive a digital certificate of participation.
The full programme is currently being finalised and some details may be subject to change. All updates will be published on this webpage.
Partners and experts
The Winter School is co-developed by Lund University, University of Oxford and EIT Food. Meet the experts and teaching team:
FoSSNet Winter School 2026
Considering applying to the next FoSSNet Winter School? Explore the highlights from the 2026 edition and read what participants had to say about their experience.