About MFF Academy

The research program Mistra Food Futures is a groundbreaking initiative aimed at promoting sustainability and innovation within the food system. Through collaboration between academia, industry, and public sector partners, we are dedicated to addressing the complex challenges faced by the food system and developing solutions for a more resilient and sustainable future.

Future researchers in a sustainable food system

Training young researchers, research assistants, doctoral students, and postdoctoral researchers is fundamental to academic activity. Mistra Food Futures is organized around a group of doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers, who, with guidance from senior advisors and mentors from both academia and partners in the food system, will carry out their doctoral or postdoctoral training within the program. In this way, we are training the next generation of food system researchers with the necessary interdisciplinary skills and competencies, which helps ensure the availability of qualified researchers in sustainable food systems.

We prioritize the education and development of young researchers, including research assistants, doctoral students, and postdoctoral researchers in both social and natural sciences. By providing opportunities for networking, professional development, and interdisciplinary collaboration, we are developing the next generation of researchers in the food system.

Optimal conditions

Being a doctoral student means navigating a world full of opportunities and challenges. It involves finding one’s way in an academic environment, building strong networks, and addressing complex research questions.

Mistra Food Futures Academy is a cross-disciplinary platform where young researchers, their supervisors, and societal partners collaborate to shape the future of sustainable food systems. The aim is to create optimal conditions for doctoral students to grow as researchers and to develop a comprehensive understanding of the entire food system — from farm to fork.

The academy brings together doctoral candidates and postdoctoral researchers from diverse backgrounds, ranging from agricultural economics and ecosystem engineering to industrial ecology and environmental sciences — a group of researchers who contribute their unique perspectives.

How Does the Academy support young researchers?

Mistra Food Futures Academy is designed to provide doctoral candidates with the tools they need to succeed in their research and future careers. Through a range of activities, we create opportunities for them to grow and develop.

A mentorship program for professional development

Each doctoral candidate is matched with a mentor from the food system. The mentor serves as a contact outside the research environment, helping the doctoral candidate build networks and develop their professional career.

Seminar series to broaden perspectives

We offer seminars that combine scientific lectures with discussions involving societal partners and stakeholders. Doctoral candidates not only expand their knowledge of various disciplines but also gain an understanding of how research can be applied in practice. A key focus is learning to navigate different scientific disciplines, as each has its own “language.” Cultivating this openness and understanding early in their education is crucial for working together toward sustainable solutions.

Study visits through the food system

To develop a deeper understanding of how the food system operates in practice, we organize study visits. Doctoral candidates have the opportunity to meet stakeholders across the entire food chain — from primary producers to retailers. These visits provide a tangible understanding of how food is produced and distributed in Sweden and how it relates to their own research.

Bridging research and society

One of the academy’s most important goals is to establish strong connections between research and society. By involving societal partners in discussions and projects, doctoral candidates gain insight into real-world challenges and the opportunity to contribute research-based solutions. This collaboration ensures the relevance of their research and helps us build a more sustainable food system.

Collaborations and networking

The academy also welcomes doctoral and postdoctoral researchers involved in related projects within Mistra Food Futures’ focus areas. This fosters a robust interdisciplinary network of future food system researchers, offering a framework for transdisciplinary collaboration. To support networking and professional development, we will organize targeted activities that promote collaboration and connections both within and beyond the program.