PhD defence by Luke Schafer

Fruit and vegetables

Living Labs, Leverage Points, and International Networks - A Transdisciplinary, Multi-Level Perspective for Sustainable European Food Systems

This dissertation explores innovative pathways for transforming European food systems through Living Labs, public food procurement, and citizen engagement. Anchored in transdisciplinary research and supported by peer-reviewed publications and policy contributions, it critically examines leverage points for systemic change. Key thematic areas covered will include:

Food Systems Definitions – Combining text-based and visual interpretations to reconceptualize food systems as universally inclusive.

Current State of Food Systems – Challenges related to environment, health, and socio-economic inequalities; need for transformation.

Key Interventions – The FoodSHIFT Approach, Living Labs, Public Food Procurement, and Citizen Engagement as pathways for change.

Multi-Level Perspective (MLP) – Theoretical foundations, critiques, and a revised framework (rMLP) adapted to food system transformation.

Impacts and Future Directions – Assessing research impact, systemic inequalities, externalities, neoliberal policies, and Expanded-MLP (eMLP) for regime resistance.

Assessment Committee

Anders Blok, Professor at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark

Michael Søgaard Jørgensen, Associate Professor at Aalborg University, Denmark

Suvi Huttunen, Professor at LUT University, Finland

Supervisors

Christian Bugge Henriksen, Associate Professor,Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

Time and venue

Monday 24 March 2025 at 13:00

FESTSALEN, A1-01.01, Bülowsvej 17, 1870 Frederiksberg C

ZOOM LINK: https://ucph-ku.zoom.us/j/68123405605?pwd=askwpSUFZHtB14hDayjY2OLmxXEdxR.1