Policy and management within the food system
Research and Innovation breakthroughs might happen within the governance of agri-food related policy and management. Some examples of this are responsible research and innovation, regional policies, impact measurement, networks and knowledge transfer.
SPECIFIC R&I BREAKTHROUGH TOPICS
Applying Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI): The principles of RRI imply that societal stakeholders (researchers, citizens, policy makers, businesses, third sector organisations, etc) work together during the whole research and innovation process to better align both the process and its outcomes with the values, needs and expectations of society. RRI guides researchers and investors as well as other stakeholders (policy, society, industry) in anticipating the implications of their work, including relevant stakeholders upstream, and reflecting and responding to those stakeholders’ concerns and expectations. In this way, co-design and co-responsibility for the outcomes of research and innovation can be facilitated, increasing societal uptake and acceptability of research and innovation. While the food systems approach strives to provide a comprehensive understanding of food production, consumption and environmental drivers, it is less well equipped to shed light on the role of stakeholders, knowledge and power in transformation processes and on the divergent impacts of these processes.
Regional aspects of the food system: Solutions to complex challenges in the food system need the active participation of citizens to drive positive change. To achieve this, it is crucial to give citizens the opportunity to design policy interventions. Examples include local food (policy) councils or citizen assemblies (Doherty et al, 2020). Local and regional innovations in food system governance include food (policy) councils or partnerships — also called local food policy groups (Santo, 2019). There is a widely recognised need to step up the alignment between research and innovation policies at the European, national, regional, and local levels. For wider impact, additional alignment challenges need to be addressed within the realm of R&I policy (i.e. multiple sectoral and transversal R&I policies), between (multiple) R&I policies and (multiple) sector policies, and between R&I policy & society (i.e. multiple stakeholder values and expectations).
Impact of Research and Innovation: Research is vital to inform new policy that encapsulates societal sustainability through RRI into food systems thinking (eg through mission-oriented innovation systems). This potential relates to supporting policy challenges such as: (1) constructing a resonating policy frame, (ii) formulating policy goals, (iii) involving relevant sectors and levels, (iv) the question of what constitutes optimal policy integration, and (v) designing a consistent mix of policy instruments. Formulating answers to these challenges will enable policymakers and stakeholders to envision the next steps in cementing integrated food policy (Candel & Pereira 2017). Including RRI perspectives into funding calls and projects refers to research performers and research funders. For researchers, this involves quality criteria for effective integration of RRI perspectives into research and innovation projects. For funders, it involves operationalising RRI as assessment criteria and key performance indicators in (i) the agenda-setting for programs and projects; (ii) the definition of calls and guidance for applicants; (iii) the review process and grant agreements; (iv) monitoring processes and (v) impact evaluation (source).
Improving the R&I network: Changes in government policies call for action to build new partnerships and coalitions around holistic transformation agendas. Broader and deeper stakeholder engagement is necessary, including above mentioned citizen-led initiatives but also business-driven approaches for transformative change – integrated value chains, production, and consumption (eg circularity).
Higher implementation of knowledge: Existing best practices in food system transformation have the potential for scaling up and out.
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