In collaboration with the Sussex Sustainability Research Programme (SSRP) Centre of Excellence, researchers from across campus are excited to announce a Spring workshop series, looking into ’wicked sustainability problems’ in the context of education and research. Incorporating transdisciplinary perspectives from the School of Global Studies, School of Education and Social Work, School of Life Sciences, and the Institute of Development Studies (IDS), this research workshop series will delve into global and local issues surrounding food systems, water, nature conservation and education

In our first of the 'Wicked Sustainability Challenges' workshops, SSRP Fellow and Reader in Geography Dr Pedram Rowhani (School of Global Studies, University of Sussex) will be discussing sustainability issues around and inherent in food systems, taking into account the complex interactions between health, environment and socioeconomic factors.

Worldwide, agriculture is the biggest driver of environmental damage. From biodiversity loss to water pollution, from greenhouse gas emissions to land degradation, the way we produce the world’s food has had disastrous impacts on the environment over the past 70 years. But we do need agriculture as we all need to eat. With that in mind, we must find alternative ways to feed a growing and changing population without destroying our planet.

This workshop will also be joined by Richard Goring from the Wiston Estate who will share his farming perspective on these issues, as well as the obstacles they face when dealing with governing guidelines and pushing for more sustainable agricultural practices.

Come and help us unpeel this ‘wicked problem’, discuss how this relates to food sustainability in the local Sussex region, and explore what potential pathways might help tackle specific food production and consumption challenges across the South Coast and ultimately move us towards a more sustainable and healthy food future across the South Coast, UK and our planet.