B2831 - Policies For Sustainable Food System

Learning outcomes

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to: - understand local and global policy challenges characterizing the agro-food sector; - identify community problems and needs; - identify the different stakeholders operating the food and farming sectors; - analyze the policy formation and implementation processes, and evaluate costs and benefits of sustainable food and agricultural policies; - determine with a team, and in communication with a commissioner, the goals of a project and formulate an interdisciplinary project plan; execute the project plan effectively; - outline sustainable food and farming policy options, the implications of these policies for institutions, and their potential impacts on the food system; - bring together and present field research plans and conclusions to the commissioner and to peers in a coherent manner, defend views and conclusions in a professional manner; - implement and experience reflective and team learning.

Course contents

PREREQUISITES: There are no formal prerequisites for this course. However, a basic understanding of key concepts of mathematics and statistics (such as interpreting equations and graphs) will facilitate the comprehension of the topics covered during the course.

PART 1 – AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD POLICIES Setting the context

Agricultural, food and rural economics: basic concepts. The role of governments in food and agriculture; governments, corporations and civil society organizations; policy objectives: from addressing market failures to food security and sustainability; agriculture, natural resources and the circular economy.

How to write a policy paper

This seminar introduces the principles and analytical approaches for developing an evidence-based policy paper. Students will learn how to define a policy problem, critically analyse evidence and formulate policy recommendations.

EU farm and food policies: a brief history

The evolution of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP); current CAP instruments; recent reforms and future policy challenges.

US farm and food policies: a brief history

The evolution of the Farm Bill; current US farm commodity programmes and comparison with the European policy framework.

Trade policies

Trade protection and market distortions; analytical tools for trade policy analysis; importer and exporter policies; WTO framework, the Uruguay Round, the Doha negotiations and current trade challenges.

Food security, nutrition and emerging food policies

Food security and nutrition: concepts, definitions and international dimensions. The 2008 World Food Crisis, international responses to hunger and malnutrition, food assistance programmes and emerging policy challenges for sustainable food systems.

PART 2 – SUSTAINABLE DIETS AND URBAN FOOD POLICY LAB (30 hours) Policies for sustainable urban food systems

The role of food environments in shaping food systems. Supermarkets, alternative food networks and city-region food systems. Urban food policies supporting the transition towards sustainable food systems.

The food we eat: consumer behaviour, food choices and sustainable diets

Consumer behaviour, dietary habits and food choices. Policy instruments promoting healthy and sustainable diets. Food taxation and regulation. Organic, local and sustainable food systems. Behavioural and consumer science approaches supporting food policy design.

Food loss and waste: drivers and policy interventions

Food loss and waste: definitions and quantification. Economic, technical, social and institutional drivers. Behavioural approaches, social norms, marketing standards, innovation and policy interventions supporting food waste prevention and reduction.

Measuring food systems sustainability

Using Life Cycle Thinking and integrated sustainability assessment to evaluate the environmental, economic and social impacts of food systems. Sustainability indicators and assessment frameworks supporting the design, implementation and evaluation of agricultural and food policies. Applications to sustainable diets, food waste prevention and other food system interventions.

Applied Policy Lab: Designing Behavioural Interventions for Sustainable Food Systems

The Applied Policy Lab is the capstone activity of the course. Working in small groups, students will address a real-world food system challenge by applying the concepts and analytical tools introduced throughout the module. Through field observation, stakeholder engagement, behavioural diagnosis and the critical analysis of scientific and policy evidence, each group will develop, present and discuss a Behavioural Intervention Proposal. The laboratory strengthens analytical, collaborative and policy design skills while preparing students for the development of the individual policy paper.

NB IMPORTANT: Students from the Laurea Magistrale in Sviluppo locale e globale and the students from the Laurea Magistrale in Scienze e gestione della natura should contact the lecturer before the beginning of the Course (September).

Readings/Bibliography

Core reference

• Lang, T., & Heasman, M. (2015). Food Wars: The Global Battle for Mouths, Minds and Markets (2nd ed.). Routledge (selected chapters).

Additional readings

Additional required and recommended readings, including scientific articles, book chapters, policy papers and reports from international organizations (e.g. European Commission, FAO, OECD, etc), will be made available through the University's virtual learning environment. Readings are selected to support classroom discussions, workshops, case studies and the preparation of the policy paper, while reflecting current policy debates and recent scientific developments.

Teaching methods

The course is organized as a progressive learning pathway, moving from the theoretical foundations of agricultural and food policies to their application through analytical tools, case studies and collaborative laboratories. Teaching combines front-loaded lectures with active learning methodologies, including seminars, workshops, individual and group exercises, case studies and problem-based learning activities, fostering critical thinking, evidence-based reasoning and the development of practical policy analysis skills.

Assessment methods

Students attending at least 70% of the scheduled classes will be assessed through continuous assessment, the Applied Policy Lab, and an individual policy paper.

Throughout the course, students will participate in individual and collaborative learning activities, including policy briefs, case study analyses, literature discussions and workshops. These activities provide continuous formative feedback and progressively prepare students for the final assessment.

During the semester, students will also complete the Applied Policy Lab, developing and presenting a Behavioural Intervention Proposal in small groups.

Each student will prepare an individual policy paper (approximately 3,500 words) on a topic agreed with the lecturer or identified within the course activities. A concept note outlining the policy problem and analytical approach will be presented during the course to receive formative feedback from the lecturer and peers. The final paper must be submitted at least three working days before the examination and will be presented and discussed during the final examination.

The final grade will be based on:

• Continuous assessment (10%), including policy briefs, case study analyses, literature discussions and other in-class learning activities.
• Applied Policy Lab (30%), based on the quality of the Behavioural Intervention Proposal, the use of scientific and policy evidence, the feasibility of the proposed intervention, and the effectiveness of the group presentation and discussion.
• Individual policy paper and oral discussion (60%), evaluating the ability to critically analyse a policy issue, integrate scientific evidence, formulate coherent and feasible policy recommendations, and effectively communicate and defend the proposed analysis.

The policy paper will be assessed considering:

• the relevance and clarity of the policy problem;
• the quality and critical use of scientific and policy evidence;
• the quality of stakeholder and policy analysis;
• the coherence and feasibility of the proposed recommendations;
• the quality of written communication and academic referencing.

Students attending less than 70% of the scheduled classes will be assessed through an individual policy paper (40%) and an oral examination (60%). The topic of the policy paper must be agreed with the lecturer in advance. The paper must be submitted at least three working days before the examination and will provide the starting point for the oral discussion.

Students may use generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to support brainstorming, literature exploration and language revision. However, students remain fully responsible for the originality, accuracy and academic integrity of all submitted work. Any substantial use of AI tools should be transparently acknowledged.

Students with Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) or temporary/permanent disabilities are encouraged to contact the University support office in advance (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en ). Approved accommodations should be communicated to the lecturer at least 15 days before the examination and will be implemented consistently with the intended learning outcomes of the course.

Teaching tools

Teaching tools include the University's virtual learning environment, collaborative workshops, case-based discussions, policy analysis exercises and problem-based learning activities. These tools are used to support the progressive development of analytical, collaborative and policy design skills through the investigation of real-world food system challenges.

Office hours

See the website of Matteo Vittuari

See the website of William Henry Meyers