PhD/MPhil Food Policy

Program Overview

The PhD/MPhil Food Policy program at City, University of London explores the role of food in society, its impact on health, environment, and social justice. It provides a flexible framework for students to tailor their research to their interests, with guidance from experts in the field. Graduates are equipped with the skills and knowledge to pursue careers in research, policy, education, consultancy, and communication related to food policy.

Program Outline

Extracted Information from the PhD/MPhil Food Policy Program at City, University of London

Degree Overview:

This program explores the role of food in society and its impact on health, environment, social justice, and the economy. It provides a unique opportunity to study food policy within a vibrant research community at the Centre for Food Policy.

Objectives:

• Help students gain the skills to become professional researchers.
• Guide students in contributing original work that extends the current knowledge base and influences food policy.

Program Description:

You will focus on the policy place of food in society, exploring how policy-making processes work and how they reflect and shape the nature of food supply and consumption. You can tailor your research degree to suit your own interests, with guidance and support from the Centre for Food Policy.

Outline:

Structure:

• You will initially register for an MPhil award.
• Promotion to PhD requires a satisfactory outcome during a review process, typically at the end of the first year for full-time candidates and the second year for part-time candidates.
• You will submit a report to an academic panel and present at the annual research colloquium.
• If the review is satisfactory, you will be upgraded to a PhD.
• The program culminates in the submission of a PhD thesis and a viva voce examination.

Content:

The program offers a flexible approach, allowing you to tailor your research to your own interests. You will explore various aspects of food policy, including:

• Food security and sustainability
• Public health and nutrition
• Food ethics and social justice
• Food regulation and governance
• Global food systems
• Food marketing and consumption

Modules:

While specific modules are not explicitly listed, the program provides a framework for individual research exploration within the broad topics related to food policy.

Assessment:

The program utilizes a combination of assessment methods:

• Formative assessment: You will receive ongoing feedback on your research progress through written reports, presentations, and discussions with your supervisors.
• Summative assessment: Your final assessment will be based on the quality of your PhD thesis and your performance in the viva voce examination.

Teaching:

Teaching Methods:

• The program emphasizes independent research and critical thinking.
• You will receive individualized supervision from experts in the field of food policy.
• You will also have access to a wide range of resources, including specialist libraries, research facilities, and research seminars.

Faculty:

The program benefits from a team of experienced and internationally recognized researchers in the field of food policy. You can explore the full list of academic staff and potential supervisors on the Department of Health Services Research and Management website.

Careers:

This program equips graduates with the skills and knowledge to pursue careers in various areas related to food policy, including:

• Research: You can pursue a career in academic research, government research agencies, or independent research institutions.
• Policy: You can work in government agencies, NGOs, or international organizations involved in food policy development and implementation.
• Education: You can pursue a career in teaching or training at universities, colleges, or other educational institutions.
• Consultancy: You can offer consultancy services to government agencies, NGOs, businesses, or other organizations working in the food policy field.
• Communication and advocacy: You can work in communication or advocacy roles to raise awareness and promote public understanding of food policy issues.

Other:

The program encourages students to participate in the Food Research Collaboration (FRC), an initiative that facilitates joint working between academics and civil society organizations to improve the UK food system.

Tuition Fees and Payment Information:

Full-time Home/UK:£5,000 per year Part-time Home/UK:£2,500 per year Full-time International:£13,500 per year Part-time International:£6,750 per year