Research

Information about our group's research goal, topics, methods, and ongoing projects.

We are an international and transdisciplinary research group turning food for thought into action for sustainable change. The group delivers research, teaching and practical advice to support the management of sustainable food systems. We examine the tensions and synergies between environmental, social and economic issues, as well as analyze alternatives to manage complex challenges related to individual food businesses, value chains and value networks. The aim of the group is to contribute toward a better understanding of managerial and behavioural issues in sustainable food systems, their organizations and governance, focusing on sustainable change based on three key themes:

  1. Value chain management and value networks
  2. Organizational innovations and knowledge sharing
  3. Small business management

 

RESEARCH AREAS, THEMES, AND METHODS

 

 

 

ONGOING PROJECTS

 

MATS - MAKING AGRICULTURAL TRADE SUSTAINABLE (2021-2024)

MATS is a Horizon 2020 project that aims to identify key leverage points for changes in agricultural trade policy that foster the positive and reduce the negative impacts of trade on environmental sustainability and human well-being.

(Lead & contact: Bodo Steiner, bodo.steiner@helsinki.fi) 

 

MSCA4Ukraine - Marie Curie funded Visiting Professorship (2023-25)

(Lead & contact: Inna Makarenko, inna.makarenko@helsinki.fi)

 

PAST PROJECTS

PERINNEHYVÄ - IMPROVING THE WELFARE OF CATTLE AND NATURE WITH TRADITIONAL RURAL BIOTOPES (2021-2023)

(Lead & contact: Bodo Steiner, bodo.steiner@helsinki.fi) 

The aim of the PerinneHyvä -project is to evaluate

  • the ecological value of potential biotope areas in Southern Finland (in cooperation with the HELMI-program led by the Ministry of Environment)
  • the compensation effect that new or reconstructed biodiversity areas could have on the carbon footprint of cattle farms
  • farmers’ experience and interest to use biodiversity areas as a method of compensating their carbon footprint
  • the effect on animal welfare from using grazing for biodiversity maintenance and biotope reconstruction
  • the effect of grazing on farmers’ work load