We're working to engage all stakeholders in supporting the agri-food system’s transition towards a net zero UK by 2050

We’ve assembled – and continue to strengthen – a formidable team that combines systems-level expertise with comprehensive coverage of all key specialisms.

The Network is governed by our Executive team and Co-Investigators, with an active Advisory Board in place. Each year we engage Champions and an Early Career Researcher (ECR) Board who together with our Knowledge Exchange Fellow and Project Partners are developing a wide and varied membership base.

 

Co-leads

The Executive team is made up of five Co-leads from across four institutions, the University of the West of England, ​the University of East Anglia, the University of Leeds and the University of York.

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Knowledge Exchange

Our Knowledge Exchange Fellow, Jez Fredenburgh, is part of the executive team. Jez works with co-lead Neil Ward to investigate the research gaps holding the agri-food system back from a net zero transition and creates engaging content to help spread new and innovative knowledge on the subject.

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Ops Team

The Ops Team supports the co-leads and is part of the executive team. Members of the ops team are the primary contacts for the Network and work across the University of the West of England, ​the University of East Anglia, the University of Leeds and the University of York.

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Co-Investigators

Our team of seven Co-Investigators bring their expertise from across the UK, working with the Executive Team to steer the work of the Network and oversee funding awards.

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Champions - Year 3

In Autumn 2024 we appointed our final round of Champions who will focus on four areas: Policy, Bioeconomy, Carbon Financing, and Just Transition & Citizen Engagement.

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Champions - Year 2

In 2024 we appointed six new Champions who bring a wealth of expertise spanning the agri-food system, from hands-on farming to wider industry, academia and the public sector. Each Champion leads one of six research themes, identified by our members during The Big Tent 2023, our annual general meeting.

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Champions - Year 1

During the Network's first year we appointed nine Champions to work across three research themes: Sustainable Production Systems, Land Use for Sequestration and Supply Chains and Demand. Champions focused on either System Interaction and Complexity, Individual and Institutional Behaviour or Novel Technologies and Analytics.

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ECR Board - Year 1

In the first year of the Network, we appointed an ECR board, who were mentored by senior team members and work closely with our Champions.

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ECR Board - Year 2

Meet our second ECR board. The Network mentors and invests in early career researchers by appointing a new ECR board annually. ECRs are mentored by senior team members and work closely with our Champions.

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Advisory Board

The advisory board is made of academics and agri-food system stakeholders with a diverse range of expertise and experience. The role of the board is to provide expert advice and ensure that the Network is operating according to its strategic aims, objectives and principles.

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