Synergy projects: Co-production of research for food systems transformation

Mapping and exploring examples of co-production activities across Transforming UK Food Systems (TUKFS) projects
Illustrated circles of different colours

Synergy projects: Co-production of research for food systems transformation

Mapping and exploring examples of co-production activities across Transforming UK Food Systems (TUKFS) projects
Title: Synergy projects: Co-production of research for food systems transformation
Funding: UKRI (Transforming UK Food Systems strategic priorities fund)
Funding amount: £64,497.47
Location: UK
Duration: June 2023 – January 2024 and May 2025 – March 2026
Project partners: Professor Charlotte Hardiman (PI, University of Liverpool; BeanMeals; FIO Food)
University of Plymouth PI: Dr Clare Pettinger (PI, University of Plymouth; FoodSEqual)
University of Plymouth staff: Lisa Howard, Naomi Shaw
 

About the projects

This interdisciplinary, cross-project collaboration has engaged researchers from multiple UK academic institutions to better understand how to facilitate, support, and invest in co-produced research for food systems transformation. 
There is an urgent need for transformation of the UK food system. The ways in which food is currently produced, accessed, and eaten are having significant negative impacts on human health and causing damage to our environment. To address these issues, there has been a recent shift towards the use of creative and participatory methods of research, including co-production. In line with this, "co-producing research across disciplines and stakeholders to provide evidence for coherent policymaking" is a key strategic aim of the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Transforming UK Food Systems (TUKFS) SPF Programme.  
As part of the TUKFS Annual Synergy Fund, these projects identified and mapped examples of where co-production, co-design or co-creation methods are being employed for food system transformation across eight TUKFS projects. This toolkit showcases our outputs, offering learning and guidance for this way of working.

What is co-production?

Co-production is a collaborative way of working, with an emphasis on the exchange of diverse forms of knowledge and expertise in 'an equal partnership for equal benefits'.  
It offers opportunities to empower underrepresented communities and groups through engaging them more fairly in research processes and may improve the quality of research ensuring its relevance and applicability to the 'real world'.
Many funding programmes now require research to be co-produced; however, the concept of co-production has been described as 'messy' with varied interpretations across different disciplines and contexts, and a lack of consensus of what its processes should look like.

Synergy toolkit outputs

Illustration of different case study sheets
16 case studies of co-production
What we found, including insights from collaborators and partners from eight TUKFS projects
Illustration of a simple map with a pencil and a compass
A 'messy map'
Visual summary of raw data from conversations and workshop discussions
Illustration of a checklist with a pencil
An illustrated checklist
Featuring practical considerations for researchers, academic institutions, communities, policy advocates and funders
Illustration of a hand pointing at documents
A policy-facing workshop
Summary of a workshop to gain views on how our toolkit can appeal to policy audiences
Illustration of people with speech bubbles above their heads
An animated video
'So What? A case for co-production' from a project collaborator perspective
Illustration of an eye looking at a question mark and exclamation mark in speech bubbles
An illustrated conversation starter resource
Highlighting realities of these approaches in a community context
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

What we did

  • Workshops were led by creative associate, Hannah Mumby, making use of her innovative facilitation skills and some of her illustrated resources.
  • Processes have enabled us to creatively and collaboratively curate this toolkit to visually exemplify how to navigate co-production as a way of working.
  • Read our article published in the Nutrition Bulletin which summarises our findings, highlighting the challenges of applying co-production approaches and identifying practical solutions within food systems transformation research.
Blue circle with graphic symbolising relationships for the Synergy project
Orange circle with graphic symbolising power for the Synergy project
Yellow circle with graphic symbolising knowledge for the Synergy project
Green circle with graphic symbolising inclusivity for the Synergy project

What we learned

  • Our 16 case studies showcase what we found across eight TUKFS projects.
  • Based on the four values underpinning these approaches (knowledge; inclusivity; relationships; power) we concluded that 'co-production' is indeed messy and complex. Some of our findings are represented in a 'messy map' of raw data that highlights key principles for co-production, as well as researcher perceptions of whether or not there is a 'gold standard' approach, how to deal with barriers and challenges, and solutions and strategies identified. 
  • Drawing on our findings from conversations and workshop discussions with researchers and project team members involved in co-produced research, we created an illustrated checklist of practical considerations for researchers, academic institutions and funders engaging in co-produced research.
  • We ran a policy-facing workshop to explore and learn how co-production can shape transformative food policy.
  • We learned how to take the time to authentically listen to collaborator voices when working in this way – watch the video to hear the collaborators' views.
  • Focusing particularly on community and non-academic voices and experiences (which may be less visible in academic accounts of co-production), the illustrated conversation starter resource was co-designed to support discussions and shared learning between collaborators in co-produced and multi-stakeholder research.
 

Meet the team

Co-investigators associated with TUKFS projects

Dr Rebecca Wells 
City St George’s, University of London; FixOurFood 
Dr Ulrike Ehgartner 
University of York; FixOurFood 
Dr Neil Boyle  
University of Sheffield; Healthy Soil, Healthy Food, Healthy People (H3)
Joanne Craven  
Independent serious games consultant; BeanMeals
Dr Bethan Mead
University of Liverpool
Dr Lisa Morgans
Royal Agricultural University; Cultured Meat and Farmers 
Dr John Dooley
Royal Agricultural University; Cultured Meat and Farmers

Creative associate

Hannah Mumby
Freelance

Co-creating solutions to the problems facing coastal communities

Based in one of Britain's major coastal cities, the Centre for Coastal Communities brings together a critical mass of academic researchers from different disciplines to investigate the deep-rooted, structural challenges facing the UK's coastal communities and explore potential policy solutions.
The Centre's researchers have a distinguished track record in health, economic and social research about coastal communities and have developed strong collaborative links with the public, private and third sectors, allowing them to work directly with the communities affected by these challenges.
Fishing nets