In our applied research projects, we research and develop possible solutions for more sustainable food systems - from the field to the table.
List of projects Geography in Food
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Sustainable Protein and Oil Crops: The potential of protein and oil crops for a transformation towards a more sustainable Swiss food system…
Researchers from ZHAW, Agroscope, and FiBL are investigating how legumes and oilseeds like soybeans and flax can contribute to a more sustainable Swiss food system. A shift to a more plant-based diet and food production is urgently needed. But what does this mean for consumers and farmers, and how…
ongoing, 04/2025 - 03/2029
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Farm to Table 2.0 - Wädenswil Edition (FTT2.0)
The future of university gastronomy: sustainable enjoyment that takes into account ecological, social and economic aspects - is that possible?
ongoing, 09/2024 - 03/2026
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Developing a farmers’ happiness index with smallholder coffee and tea farmers in Sri Lanka and India
Farmers are often exposed to higher economic as well as physical and mental health risks affecting their overall wellbeing. Together with coffee and tea farmers of India and Sri Lanka, we will develop a farmers' happiness index to measure farmers’ well-being and its influencing factors.
ongoing, 06/2024 - 12/2025
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Water and Nutrient Circularity as a Service (WaNCaaS)
completed, 01/2024 - 12/2024
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Local Food Challenge - Shaping the future of local food together (LocalFoodChallenge)
In the Local Food Challenge, students from ZHAW and food technologists from Strickhof collaborate to develop innovative, market-ready food products from local raw materials. Through transdisciplinary teamwork and hands-on project management, they create sustainable solutions for underutilized…
ongoing, 11/2023 - 01/2026
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CirculAr, let's go! (ZirkuLAr)
Fostering circular economy principles in agriculture. Developing and publishing a haptic serious game with teaching material on the topic of the circular economy at farm and regional level.
ongoing, 11/2023 - 01/2026
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Food strategies for all: participation and transformation in smaller cities
Food strategies are processes to promote sustainable development locally. But how can they also be implemented in smaller communities?
ongoing, 04/2023 - 08/2026
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Participatory decision-making for food system transformation
In this inter- and transdisciplinary research project, we investigate with the local actors the sustainability of "terroir" agri-food systems. First, we will co-define sustainability in the local context with direct engagement with stakeholders. Second, we will facilitate the co-creation of pathway…
completed, 02/2023 - 12/2023
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"PRE Wädenswil – Strengthening Sustainability and Climate-Friendliness in the Value Chains of Food Produced in Wädenswil"
The Geography Research Group took over the coaching of the Wädenswil Regional Development Project (PRE). The local project initiative aims to promote local, sustainable food, the circular economy and cooperation between producers, processing, research and consumption in Wädenswil.
completed, 11/2022 - 12/2023
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MOVING – Mountain Valorization through Interconnectedness and Green Growth
MOVING aims to build capacities and co-develop policy frameworks across Europe for the establishment of new or upgraded and upscaled value chains, contributing to resilience and sustainability of mountain areas, valorising local assets, and delivering private and public goods.In this framework, the…
completed, 09/2020 - 08/2024
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Cocoa in Numbers – from data to knowledge
Nowadays consumers of cocoa and chocolate products are not only interested in safe high-quality products but also in products which are sustainable and produced under fair ecological and social conditions. The demand for transparency of information on the condition of cultivation, production and…
completed, 07/2020 - 07/2021
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WWF Standards Evaluations
Analysis of the potential integration of environmental impact measurements into the evaluation of food standards
completed, 01/2020 - 09/2020
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International Virtual Course - Tackling Climate Change through Global Learning (IVC)
The ZHAW's International Virtual Course ‘Tackling Climate Change through Global Learning’ with partners in Brazil, India and Kenya trains students to become global change makers. In addition to the professional expertise, the focus is on global learning, intercultural communication and virtual…
ongoing, 01/2020 - 05/2025
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Agrobiodiversity Summer School
Agrobiodiversity is essential for locally adapted and resilient land use systems across the globe and ultimately contributes to the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
ongoing, 10/2019 - 04/2027
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Acceptance study in the Regional Parks ELa and Beverin
completed, 05/2019 - 06/2020
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MyFoodChoice: Personal values for sustainable consumption
Consumption decisions are personal and based on one's own preferences, possibilities and values. Everyone has his or her own consumer ethical values and ideas according to which he or she wishes to act. But are they being implemented?A large proportion of Swiss people state that they also pay…
completed, 10/2018 - 06/2019
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Eco Missions
Escape Rooms and Outdoor Missions are booming: Electronic scavenger hunts, foxtrails, geocaching, or mobile phone trails are a popular leisure activity among young families or young people. Our new "Eco Missions" offer is designed to do justice to these new leisure activities. In an eco mission, the…
completed, 09/2018 - 12/2021
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Foodscape.ch – A serious game on the Swiss food system as a teaching unit
Agricultural production, consumption, trade of food, etc -- the Swiss food system is as complex as it is central to our daily lives. Our food supply has a greater impact on the environment, economy and society than almost any other area of life. And yet we are not very familiar with the structures…
completed, 08/2018 - 04/2021
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Regionalised Agricultural Life Cycle Assessment
The start-up financed project is a research cooperation of the research groups Life Cycle Assessment, Geography of Food and Geoinformatics for the development of a competence focus "Regionalised Agricultural LCA". The feasibility of a regionalised life cycle assessment will be examined with regard…
completed, 06/2018 - 01/2019
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TRANSFOOD – IMPROVING SUSTAINABILITY IMPACTS OF TRANSNATIONAL FOOD VALUE CHAINS
Globalisation of the food trade leads to various impacts on the economy, the environment, and society. Emerging economies that have expanded their agricultural trade and have become net agricultural exporters are particularly affected. The proposed research collaboration aims at combining…
completed, 12/2017 - 12/2018