Priorities for social science and humanities research on the challenges of moving beyond animal-based food systems

Carol Morris (), Minna Kaljonen, Kadri Aavik, Bálint Balázs, Matthew Cole, Ben Coles, Sophia Efstathiou, Tracey Fallon, Mike Foden, Eva Haifa Giraud, Mike Goodman, Eleanor Hadley Kershaw, Richard Helliwell, Pru Hobson-West, Matti Häyry, Piia Jallinoja, Mat Jones, Taija Kaarlenkaski, Maarit Laihonen, Anu Lähteenmäki-Uutela, Saara Kupsala, Annika Lonkila, Lydia Martens, Renelle McGlacken, Josephine Mylan, Mari Niva, Emma Roe, Richard Twine, Markus Vinnari and Richard White
Additional contact information
Carol Morris: University of Nottingham
Minna Kaljonen: Finnish Environment Institute
Kadri Aavik: University of Helsinki
Bálint Balázs: Environmental Social Science Research Group
Matthew Cole: Open University
Ben Coles: University of Leicester
Sophia Efstathiou: Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet
Tracey Fallon: University of Nottingham
Mike Foden: University of Sheffield
Eva Haifa Giraud: Keele University
Mike Goodman: Reading University
Eleanor Hadley Kershaw: University of Nottingham
Richard Helliwell: Ruralis
Pru Hobson-West: University of Nottingham
Matti Häyry: Aalto University
Piia Jallinoja: University of Tampere
Mat Jones: University of West of England
Taija Kaarlenkaski: University of Turku
Maarit Laihonen: Aalto University
Anu Lähteenmäki-Uutela: Finnish Environment Institute
Saara Kupsala: Finnish Food Authority
Annika Lonkila: Finnish Environment Institute
Lydia Martens: Keele University
Renelle McGlacken: University of Nottingham
Josephine Mylan: University of Manchester
Mari Niva: University of Helsinki
Emma Roe: University of Southampton
Richard Twine: Edge Hill University
Markus Vinnari: University of Helsinki
Richard White: Sheffield Hallam University

Palgrave Communications, 2021, vol. 8, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract Increasingly high-profile research is being undertaken into the socio-environmental challenges associated with the over-production and consumption of food from animals. Transforming food systems to mitigate climate change and hidden hunger, ensure food security and good health all point to reducing animal-based foods as a key lever. Moving beyond animal-based food systems is a societal grand challenge requiring coordinated international research by the social sciences and humanities. A ‘selective openness’ to this range of disciplines has been observed within multi-discipline research programmes designed to address societal grand challenges including those concerned with the sustainability of food systems, inhibiting the impact of social sciences and humanities. Further, existing research on animal-based foods within these disciplines is largely dispersed and focused on particular parts of food systems. Inspired by the ‘Sutherland Method’ this paper discusses the results of an iterative research prioritisation process carried out to enhance capacity, mutual understanding and impact amongst European social sciences and humanities researchers. The process produced 15 research questions from an initial list of 100 and classified under the following five themes: (1) debating and visioning food from animals; (2) transforming agricultural spaces; (3) framing animals as food; (4) eating practices and identities; and (5) governing transitions beyond animal-based food systems. These themes provide an important means of making connections between research questions that invite and steer research on key challenges in moving beyond animal-based food systems. The themes also propose loci for future transdisciplinary research programmes that join researchers from the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities and stakeholders from beyond academia to develop cooperative research and implementation initiatives. The experiences gained from the prioritisation process draw attention to the value of spending time to discuss and collaboratively steer research enquiry into emergent and controversial matters of concern. Fundamental, ethical questions around the continuation or complete cessation of the use of animals for food was a key tension. The positioning of research towards these questions affects not only the framing of the research area but also the partners with whom the research can be carried out and for whom it may be of benefit.

Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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DOI: 10.1057/s41599-021-00714-z

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