Global Food and Environment Institute
The Global Food and Environment Institute (GFEI) is an interdisciplinary research community uniting academia, industry, and public policy.
We envisage a radically different global food system aligned with nature, ensuring universal access to safe and nutritious food. Our mission is to cultivate lasting solutions fostering transformative change. Together, we can create a food system that is socially-just, climate-smart and goes beyond sustainability.
We work in partnership with expertise from across the University to offer the Sustainable Food Systems MSc for those interested in exploring research that underpins food sustainability from a multidisciplinary perspective.
Influencing policy and inquiries
We're working with policy professionals and government to help create an equitable, environmentally sustainable global food system.
Research spotlights
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Sustainable food
Explore projects led by researchers in the Faculty of Environment, from farming to influencing consumer behaviour and reducing waste.
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Smart farm
Learn how we're working with partners across Europe to co-develop research programmes that address modern agricultural challenges.
Explore the University of Leeds Research Farm
Discover our Smart Farm's technologies and find out how we can support business, education and professional development.
Extending the reach and impact of our research
Our researchers are engaging with policymakers and global research networks to share their work and help bring about positive change.
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Strengthening partnerships in Africa through the GFEI Food Systems Research Week
Find out how research partnerships in Africa are being reinforced in areas of critical importance to the region, including food trade, market access, livestock production, and safety and quality regulation.
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Adding rock dust to UK agricultural soils could help UK reach net zero
A major new study shows adding rock dust to UK agricultural soils could absorb up to 45 per cent of the atmospheric carbon dioxide needed to reach net zero.
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Parliamentary briefing on Food Insecurity and Children’s Health
Professor Louise Dye discussed how our experience of access to food and what we eat influences our psychological health at The Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology in September 2021.
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How improving food movements can help save the planet
Food movements, highly dependent on fossil fuels, represent a big source of greenhouse gas emissions.
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Professor Steve Banwart
Tribute to the GFEI founder and a much-loved colleague, Professor Steven Banwart, 1959–2023.