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Vision
To accelerate the transition toward more sustainable agrifood systems.
We define sustainability in alignment with various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Agrifood systems should be:
Environmentally resilient (SDG 13 , 14 and 15 );
Economically prosperous (SDG 1 and 8 );
Socially inclusive (SDG 5 , 10 and 11 );
Supportive of nutritious and healthy diets (SDG 2 and 3 ).
We recognize that multiple strategies can contribute to achieving the overall goal of responsible food consumption and production (SDG 12 ), which should aim to mitigate trade-offs and stimulate synergies among these diverse outcomes.
Mission
We conduct impactful research and education on sustainable agrifood systems, where we deliver new scientific insights on real-world challenges using innovative data and methods, contribute to ongoing policy debates, and train tomorrow’s leaders in agrifood systems transitions.
Strategy
Our research and education are grounded in agricultural and food economics, with frequent collaboration across disciplines. We focus on three main themes: adoption of agricultural practices, monitoring and certification, and global and local food value chains. We examine a wide range of agrifood system actors, including farmers, farm workers, traders, certification bodies and consumers. Where relevant, we integrate perspectives from minorities, with particular attention to gender, youth and migrants.
We use quantitative data from our own collected surveys and existing databases, as well as qualitative data from semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. We apply various research methods, including value chain analysis, econometric impact evaluations, design and analysis of choice experiments, and content and thematic analysis. Geographically, we focus on both the global North (mainly Belgium and other European countries) and the global South (primarily African countries).
We train students to think critically about complex problems and develop nuanced, evidence-based solutions. In addition to theoretical lectures and practical exercises, we organise discussions on current scientific articles and invite professionals from outside academia to share real-world insights. Students receive constructive feedback from teachers and peers to support their learning process.
Our core values entail commitment, care and rigor, which guide our internal and external collaborations. The diversity of our research and teaching approach is reflected by the diversity of our group, in terms of gender balance, multiple nationalities across different continents, and various disciplinary backgrounds (e.g. bio-engineering, economics, biology and development studies).
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