A free online course starting on the 6th of April 2020, is designed to help consumers  understand the context and different perspectives that constitute food controversies. This is a three-week course (and involves around three hours of study per week). The course is led by the School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, and is relevant to anyone who has an interest in what they eat, how it is produced and interested in making informed decisions. 

Dr Andrew Ainslie, Lead Educator, has been working with colleagues at the European Food Information Council (EUFIC), EIT Food and the University of Turin in Italy to produce a variety of materials and activities that will introduce participants to the complex nature of the food system. The material focuses on three controversial issues: alternative proteins; palm oil; and probiotics. The course presents different perspectives for each topic discussed, allowing participants to have a] more information when analysing the controversies.

This course presents a real opportunity for you to increase your ability to make informed choices about all the food you eat and to become an agent of change by better understanding these issues and having more confidence in your knowledge of the food system. Alongside this, you will be able to build on your existing personal skills, including literature researching, critical evaluation, debating and argument forming, communication and innovation.

Follow this link to register today: https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/engaging-with-controversies-in-the-food-system

 This course is funded by EIT Food (www.eitfood.eu) and forms part of a range of novel educational activities including workshops, summer schools and online educational programmes for a wide audience including students, entrepreneurs and food professionals. See more here: https://www.eitfood.eu/education.