LIDA: Food

Background

With one in five deaths globally attributed to poor diet, a third of global greenhouse gas emissions arising from food production and food insecurity doubling since 2020 – food is at the heart of some of the world’s greatest challenges.

These challenges span the whole value chain from farm through factory to fork. These go on to later impact on health at the individual, population and planet scales.

Better data, data science and AI methods are needed at each stage of the value chain in additional to holistic approaches at the chain level.

Our mission

To utilise data science and AI to tackle the greatest food system challenges, from agriculture and food manufacturing through to health outcomes of the population and the planet.

What we do

1. We bring together those with relevant expertise and enthusiasm at the University of Leeds and our partners, together within an inclusive and interdisciplinary LIDA community to build networks, share learnings, develop early career colleagues and target strategic largescale funding opportunities.
2. We will establish the University of Leeds as the national leader of Data Science and AI in Food and the trusted partner of choice for academia and industry.
3. Through collaboration with existing groups such as the Global Food Environment Institute, the University Farm, and the Agri-Energy Research Group, in addition to colleagues from schools and faculties across the University we will host a vibrant seminar and events series.

Upcoming 2025 events

Winter 2025

• LIDA: Food Community Launch Event - Wednesday 22nd January

Spring 2025

• Farm workshop (tour and brainstorm session for collaboration opportunities), UoL Staff and students
• Challenge centred networking (industry partners & UoL staff and students)

Summer 2025

• ECR Grant writing (RIS Led with Michelle & Nik)