The Oxford Martin Programme on
The Future of Food
The Challenge
A significant overhaul of the current global food system is needed to meet the challenges of feeding a growing world population in a healthy, equitable, sustainable and resilient way.
The future of food programme links together research on the food system at Oxford and facilitates solution-orientated research to address these major concerns. The research includes scientific, economic, social and environmental issues of food production and consumption, as well as how food affects health, sustainability and economic development.
By integrating existing research, supporting new interdisciplinary initiatives, and facilitating interactions between academia, government, civil society and the private sector, we provide fresh insights and propose effective action to address the challenges of feeding the global population.
latest news
View allReform VAT on foods to make healthy and sustainable eating more affordable, suggests Oxford study
An Oxford Martin School / Environmental Change Institute-led team of researchers have reported that setting VAT rates based on health and environmental considerations can help citizens choose healthier and more sustainable diets and make them more affordable.
Beans and peas best meat alternative, finds Oxford research
Beans and peas rank best as meat and milk replacements from nutritional, health, environmental, and cost perspectives, a new study led by an Oxford Martin researcher has found.
Eating less sugar would be great for the planet as well as our health
Sugar addiction is on the rise. Globally, sugar intake has quadrupled over the last 60 years, and it now makes up around 8% of all our calories.
British Academy Global Professor to research food systems at Oxford Martin School
Professor Paul Behrens will join the Oxford Martin School in September after being awarded a British Academy Global Professorship, working on rapid food system transformations in a rapidly changing world.
In the press
Earth has now passed peak farmland. What's next?
This burger was made in a lab from cow cells… Should it really be served in restaurants?
EU’s ‘chocolate crisis’ worsened by climate breakdown, researchers warn
The Way We Eat Is About To Change — Whether We Like It Or Not
The European towns that give away free chickens
The UK’s international commitments on climate and nature could soon become law – and better protect our environment
Eating less sugar would be great for the planet as well as our health
Budget concerns for farming and the environment, emissions from livestock
Should we be worried about vegan ultra-processed foods?
Publications
View all
Water temperature regulations could help to balance biodiversity and energy security
Context is key to understand and improve livestock production systems
The environmental and social opportunities of reducing sugar intake
A comprehensive Beyond-GDP database to accelerate wellbeing, inclusion, and sustainability research
Opportunities to produce food from substantially less land
Sustainability benefits of transitioning from current diets to plant-based alternatives or whole-food diets in Sweden
Ancient chicken remains reveal the origins of virulence in Marek’s disease virus
The global and regional air quality impacts of dietary change
Vegans, vegetarians, fish-eaters and meat-eaters in the UK show discrepant environmental impacts
people
View allCharles Godfray
Director, Oxford Martin School
Susan Jebb
Professor of Diet and Population Health
Tara Garnett
Director of Table
Marco Springmann
Senior Researcher on Environment and Health
Sarah Harper
Director, Oxford Institute of Population Ageing
Mike Rayner
Professor of Population Health
Jim Hall
Professor of Climate and Environmental Risks
Peter Scarborough
Professor of Population Health
Stanley Ulijaszek
Professor of Human Ecology
Michael Clark
Postdoctoral Researcher
Keren Papier
Postdoctoral Researcher in Nutritional Epidemiology
Joseph Poore
Director of the Oxford Martin Programme on Food Sustainability
Lexi Earl
Programme Manager
Patricia Clavin
Professor of Modern History
Paul Behrens
British Academy Global Professor
Jennifer Lucey
Deputy Director, Nature-based Solutions Initiative
Charles Spence
Professor of Experimental Psychology & Director, Crossmodal Research Laboratory
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