Boosting the Role of Academia in Transition to Sustainable Food Systems

CEO, Head of Research at IFAU Institute for Food Studies & Agro-Industrial Development, Denmark

Karen holds a Masters’ Degree from the University of Copenhagen and has more than 25 years of experience in business development and innovation in the food sector. Karen has supported businesses, NGOs and government institutions with innovation activities, business development, and marketing issues including sustainability work.

Assoc. professor, Chair of Organic Food of the Institute of Human Nutrition Sciences at the Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Poland

Assoc. professor, Chair of Organic Food of the Institute of Human Nutrition Sciences at the Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Poland Kazimierczak’s main research interests focus on organic and conventional production impact on the quality of food and its health-related aspects. She is a member of the board of the Association Forum of Organic Farming named Mieczysław Górny. Furthermore, she is involved in projects concerning organic vs. conventional food, sustainable food systems and sustainable public procurement (including the StratKIT project) as well as the Erasmus+ Strategic Partnership programs.

Food Educator and Food and Health Researcher

Rita Góralska-Walczak holds a Master of Science (MSc) and is a food educator, researcher and lecturer in food and health. Góralska-Walczak has a diverse educational background in the areas of philology, English, and art history from several universities in different countries, and holds degrees in food and health, and food innovation. Until recently, she worked in Italy as an educational director within the areas of sustainable agriculture and Mediterranean diet but is now at Warsaw University of Life Sciences in Poland to work with – among other things - the StratKIT project.

TBD

Head of Brussels Office, ICLEI and ICLEI's Global Food Program Coordinator

Peter is an urban sustainability expert with over 15 years of experience with ICLEI, specializing in sustainable food consumption and production, with a particular focus on food procurement. As ICLEI's Global Food Program Coordinator Peter has worked jointly with the ICLEI World Secretariat and Regional Offices around the globe and manages the CITYFOOD network of cities and regions on resilient city-region food systems. Peter holds a law degree from the Universities of Rome and Innsbruck and a Master degree in Human Rights and Democracy in the Mediterranean. ICLEI works with local governments committed to sustainable development and the Brussels Office represents ICLEI’s work vis-à-vis EU institutions and many other stakeholders involved in formulating EU policies and strategies.

StratKIT Communication Manager, Doctoral student, University of Helsinki

Urszula Ala-Karvia holds a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Economics from the University of Szczecin, Poland. In 2011, Ala-Karvia started working with European project administration and planning at the University of Helsinki Ruralia Institute. Since 2018, she has been involved in the coordination of the StratKIT project, particularly as the project’s Deputy Coordinator and Communication Manager. Her multidisciplinary research interests lie primarily in social sustainability and demographic changes in rural-urban areas.

StratKIT Project Coordinator, Researcher at Ruralia Institute, University of Helsinki

Leena Viitaharju is a researcher and project manager at the University of Helsinki, Ruralia Institute in Seinäjoki, Finland. Viitaharju has over 20 years of experience in both national and international research and development projects on topics such as food chains, sustainability, public procurement, and (eco)innovations. Her multidisciplinary research interests lie in alternative food chains, small business marketing and the green economy. Since 2018, she has been involved with the coordination of the StratKIT project.

Moderator, journalist, media expert

Chris Burns is a Franco-American journalist and media expert with more than 30 years of reporting experience in Europe, the U.S., Africa, Central Asia, and the Middle East. During his career, Burns has covered everything from armed conflicts and election battles to natural disasters and film festivals. He has previously worked for Euronews, Bloomberg TV, and CNN. Furthermore, a professional moderator, Burns has moderated panels for the World Economic Forum, OECD, OSCE, United Nations, World Bank, and several EU institutions, including a Farm to Fork conference.

Permanent Secretary at the Finnish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Finland

Jaana has a background in veterinary microbiology. She started her career in Finland and later joined the EU, where she was Deputy Director-General of the European Commission's Health and Consumer Protection DG between 2002-2006. In 2012, Jaana became a member of the Management Board of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), where she was also holding the position of chair. Jaana is furthermore engaged in debates on transparency concerning sustainable farming and the food industry.

PerfectSeason, plant-based product supplier

Emil is CEO and co-founder of PerfectSeason. PerfectSeason produces plant-based products of an artisanal quality that are highly convenient to use. PerfectSeason's mission is to bring plants back in plant-based by only using whole unprocessed ingredients thereby bringing out the best in greens instead of imitating meat. Emil is a foodie with an ambition to change the world for the better.

Director of Lyceum No. 126, Sankt Petersburg, Russia

He graduated from St. Petersburg State Polytechnic University with a degree in organization management, completed professional training at the Higher School of Management of St. Petersburg State University. Since 2000, he worked as a teacher, then as a deputy director for education at gymnasium No. 470. Since 2006, he has led the work of the district resource centre at gymnasium No. 470. In 2009, he was appointed director of Lyceum No. 126, becoming the youngest school director in the city. In 2019, he was elected a deputy of the municipal council of municipality Finlandsy district.

Project Manager, agrathaer GmbH

Regine Berges works as a project manager with a focus on sustainable food systems at agrathaer GmbH. She is involved in national and international projects dealing with creating urban food hubs and other approaches of food system transformation, sustainable public meals and small-scale sustainability projects. Apart from project management, Regine mainly supports knowledge transfer activities and stakeholder interactions.

Managing Director of Baltic Restaurants Estonia AS

Aaro Lode is Managing Director of the largest catering company in Estonia, Baltic Restaurants Estonia AS (part of the Baltic Restaurants Group). Aaro has a bachelor's degree in business administration. Specialized in the field of catering he also gained extensive experience working as a chef in various restaurants in the UK and Estonia. This has taught him what it means to offer a good catering service. He has authored an Asian cuisine cookbook and various specialised cooking articles. From television performances and cooking shows, he has participated as a jury member selecting the best young chef in the Baltics. Aaro is deeply engaged in the greening of catering and food, and he takes an active role in guiding companies towards more sustainability.

Project Coordinator, Sustainable, Innovation and Circular Procurement at ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability, European Secretariat

For the last 20 years, Amalia Ochoa Vidal has been working at the European branch of ICLEI, Local Governments for Sustainability. Since 2011, Ochoa has been a Project Coordinator, involved in and leading projects within the topics of sustainable economy and circular procurement.

Alberto Merchante González holds a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Oxford (UO). He also holds two degrees, in Law and in Economics, from the National University of Distance Education (UNED) and two master’s degrees, one in Physics and Philosophy (UO) and the other in Access to the Advocacy (UNED). He has been college tutor at the University of Oxford, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biochemistry Degree and lecturer in Mathematical Methods (in eight different colleges) and in Statistics for Biochemists. At the same university, he was laboratory supervisor on the biochemistry degree and ecological impact auditor. He was a researcher of the FPISC Programme at the University of Science and Technology of China. He has been a civil servant since 2020, having been Head of Service, Head of Area and Area Coordinator at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation. Currently, since June 2022, he has been a Vocal Advisor in the Cabinet of the Minister at the Ministry of Science and Innovation.

Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Management in Tourism, Hospitality and Environment, University “Haxhi Zeka” Peja-State of Kosovo

She is a Doctor of Science in Finance and Accounting (Economy), works as a Professor Assistant at the Faculty of Management in Tourism, Hospitality and Environment, University “Haxhi Zeka” Peja-State of Kosovo. She is the co-founder of B.O.R.N., Ambassador for Financial Evaluation, Ambassador for Women-Tech, as well as the Ambassador for Research and Innovation. She is the Country Director of International Young Society and Country Director of World Voice International. She is a reviewer in prestigious journals on Scopus and Web of Science such as: United Kingdom and Switzerland. She has completed many trainings and programs in the field of economics, finance, accounting, research, management, diversity etc., in World Universities such as: United States, Ukraine, Italy, Austria, Germany, Malaysia, Pakistan, Sweden, and is certified from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund through the Edx program. She is a member of: Institutes of Economics, Education and Research. Has experience in projects through Erasmus +, Euphoria, Tempus programs. In Kosovo she has an excellent experience in many functions within the University: as a member of the University Board, Senator, Coordinator for academic development and quality assurance, member of the commission for internationalization and member of many other committees within the Faculty and University.

Esther Pérez Corona holds a PhD in Ecology and Environmental Sciences from the UCM and is currently a full professor in the Department of Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution and Vice-Dean of Research and PhD programs at the Faculty of Biological Sciences of the Complutense University as well. Dr. Pérez Corona has more than 30 years of research experience in different aspects of ecology, both basic and applied, ranging from the functional ecology of communities, species, or populations to the effects of global change on the functioning of ecosystems, especially in relation to biological invasions, climate change and nitrogen deposition. Her trajectory includes the publication of more than 100 scientific articles, direction of doctoral theses, Master Thesis and Grade thesis, more than 150 contributions to conferences and participation in numerous research projects. She is currently director of the UCM research group on Global Change, Ecology and Ecosystem Restoration. Her teaching experience is also extensive in subjects such as General Ecology. Soil Ecology, Invasive Species or Experimental Biology and has been coordinator of several doctoral programs. She is also an evaluator of different university quality programs for Spanish agencies (ANECA and DEVA).

Director of Post Graduate Teaching, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh

Fiona has a PhD in Environmental Science and Policy from Central European University - her dissertation focused on the international approaches to environmental management in post conflict regions of South Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Caucasus. She has taught environmental management and Environmental Impact Assessment for over 10 years at Scotlands Rural College (SRUC) and the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. Her interest in social networks and behaviour change and conflict led her to focusing on issues of food security and sustainable agriculture. Fiona has used her research on social network analysis and behaviour change models to investigate barriers to sustainable agriculture innovations, Integrated Pest Management, and the links between sustainable agriculture and diets. She was Programme Director of the campus-based MSc in Food Security at SRUC/University of Edinburgh for 5 years, and chaired the Professional Certificate in Strategic Food Security Planning for the International Centre for Parliamentary Studies in 2014 and 2017.

Professor for Innovation Management at Freie Universität Berlin and head of the Chair.

Prof. Dreher is working as a Professor for Innovation Management at Freie Universität Berlin and is head of the Chair. Furthermore, he is vice Dean for Academic and Student Affairs at the FUB and a member of the European Innovation Council Board (EIC). He studied Industrial Engineering and Occupational Training at the Technical Univ. of Karlsruhe. His research interests are analyzing technology dynamics, using foresight instruments for developing long-term innov. strategies and mechanisms, impact of public research and innov. policies. With the start of the Agricultural Systems of the Future project in 2019, he became the lead contact person for social science research in the area of future food (R&D and Participation) in the Food4future project.

Esther Pérez Corona holds a PhD in Ecology and Environmental Sciences from the UCM and is currently a full professor in the Department of Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution and Vice-Dean of Research and PhD programs at the Faculty of Biological Sciences of the Complutense University as well. Dr. Pérez Corona has more than 30 years of research experience in different aspects of ecology, both basic and applied, ranging from the functional ecology of communities, species, or populations to the effects of global change on the functioning of ecosystems, especially in relation to biological invasions, climate change and nitrogen deposition. Her trajectory includes the publication of more than 100 scientific articles, direction of doctoral theses, Master Thesis and Grade thesis, more than 150 contributions to conferences and participation in numerous research projects. She is currently director of the UCM research group on Global Change, Ecology and Ecosystem Restoration. Her teaching experience is also extensive in subjects such as General Ecology. Soil Ecology, Invasive Species or Experimental Biology and has been coordinator of several doctoral programs. She is also an evaluator of different university quality programs for Spanish agencies (ANECA and DEVA).

Head of the Division for International Nature Conservation at the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN).

She holds a PhD in Agricultural Economics from the University of Hohenheim, Germany. Prior to her engagement with BfN, Bettina lectured and carried out research on food security and natural resource management at various universities and international research institutes, primarily in Germany, Southern Africa and Brazil. Her current professional interests relate to topics on synergies for biodiversity and climate, management of multiple landscapes and sustainable consumption.

Research Assistant and Lecturer at the State University of Ponta Grossa, Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Engineering, Laboratory of Agricultural Mechanization (Lama)

She has a doctorate in Agronomy, Crop Science area, from Londrina State University (UEL) with Sandwich period at University of Birmingham, United Kingdom. Currently she is working at research and extension projects from Laboratory of Agricultural Mechanization (Lama/UEPG), acting mainly on the following subjects: conservation and survey of landraces germoplasm, production of landrace maize seeds and for organic agriculture, cientific evaluation of organic agriculture practices, assessment of seed quality and viability, oilseeds composition for biofuel production, fatty acid profiles of oil used in the biofuel production, etc.

Managing Director, Sustainable Innovation Technology Services Ltd

Leonardo Piccinetti is Senior Research and Innovation Advisor and Managing Director for several SMEs. He has extensive experience in consulting on Research and Innovation EU funding schemes and has worked on several EU Projects on food, water, energy and ICT-related fields. As EU Climate Pact ambassador Leonardo is currently working with citizen science in climate transition topics in Italy. Leonardo holds a BSc in Economics at the University of Rome with a special focus on water management in Mediterranean countries. He finished his Master in European Studies at Sussex European Institute at University of Sussex United Kingdom and research degree Creative Business Management and at the University of Chester United Kingdom at Chester Business School in Warrington. He is an independent evaluator for H2020 programme. Leonardo is fluent in Italian, English, Spanish and French.

Presidents, Future Food Institute

Sara is an experienced social entrepreneur and thought leader in the food ecosystem. As a seasoned growth expert, she works with globally recognized, high-profile think tanks on setting the agenda for the sustainable food industry.

Described as a game-changer who knows how to drive change, she has a flair for exploration and prosperity thinking.

Over the past 10 years, she has focused on a mission to take food leaders and youth to the next phase of action through education, research projects, and innovation challenges.

In 2013, she founded Future Food: a purpose-driven ecosystem facilitating positive transformation in life on earth, promoting food innovation as a strategic element to achieve sustainable and impactful growth, and in 2020, after the pandemic broke out, she birthed the Pollica - Paideia Campus, a Mediterranean Living Lab, a prototype of a sustainable village, where one can learn a new kind of sociality and live the concept of integral ecology, combining environmental protection and human health, regeneration of the territory and citizens' well-being, social justice, and climate change.

She is the Italian Focal Point for the network of the Emblematic Communities of the Mediterranean Diet UNESCO, she recently co-founded the goodaftercovid19.org initiative and, among others, she is also a member of the Google Food Lab; partner, and board member of the Food For Climate League; Ambassador of the Agrifood Tech & Wellbeing thematic area of the Federated Innovation project @MIND; and President of the Scientific Committee of "Fondazione Italia Digitale".

Head of Food from Finland Program, Business Finland

Esa Wrang is a food and FMCG professional with over 30 years of experience in international food business, including work experience in internationalization and export operations, especially food / FMCG sales, marketing, distribution, retail, wholesale, eCom , b-to-b and b-to-c business. He has expertise and experience in international sales and trade, and worked as Managing Director or Export Director in several countries, also having a long experience in international consulting and advisory management (as Leading Consultant in Finpro). In Business Finland Esa Wrang has been the leader of Food from Finland program for 9 years; program operates with more than 160 food export companies in Finland, program has carried out more than 400 international export promotion events in 15 countries (trade fairs, buyer meeting events, embassy events, media events, retail campaigns, media campaigns, training days, etc). Focus of the Food from Finland program: Scandinavian countries, Germany, France, China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and USA. Esa Wrang has an extensive experience of all the countries concerned. He has an extensive knowledge of food industry throughout Finland, practically worked with almost all food and beverage companies in Finland. Esa Wrang has been awarded 2018 with the Knight of the Order of the White Rose of Finland.

Prof. Kurki is the director of University of Helsinki Ruralia Institute.

He focuses his research on sustainability science, nature-based entrepreneurship and innovation processes. He is in the board of Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science (HELSUS) and is a Supervisor for Doctoral Programme in Sustainable Use of Renewable Natural Resources.

Internal Partnerships Officer, Una Europa Secretariat

Melissa Claessens joined the central office of Una Europa in Brussels in April 2020. As the Management Assistant she was mainly responsible for the office management and administration of the legal entity of Una Europa, and the operational coordination of the Seed Funding Initiative. She takes care of the preparation and launch of calls, the organization of the selection process, grant management, follow-up of projects and reporting.

Since September 2022 she is taking on the role of Internal Partnerships Officer where she will continue to develop, coordinate and improve the Seed Funding Initiative. She is also responsible for activities that promote a sense of community within Una Europa and provides the necessary service to partners to ensure a smooth collaboration.