Funding & Awards

The Surplus Food Systems Research programme has been supported through a range of competitive funding schemes and institutional awards. These awards have opened doors to exciting opportunities, enabling international fieldwork, conference participation, knowledge exchange activities, and collaborative research engagement between the United Kingdom and Nigeria.

A woman with curly hair, wearing glasses and a colorful patterned shirt, is in profile with her hand on her chin, facing a presentation screen at a workshop.

International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF) 2024

Funder: Bangor University / UK International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF)

Purpose: International fieldwork and research collaboration

Contribution to Research: Enabled primary data collection for the Nigeria case study.

This award supported fieldwork undertaken with the Lagos Food Bank Initiative and associated stakeholders in Nigeria. The funding enabled interviews, participant observation, organisational visits, and documentary data collection that form a core component of the parallel case study examining surplus food redistribution systems in Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

Research Impact Enabled by Funding

  • International fieldwork in Nigeria

  • Stakeholder interviews and participant observation

  • Organisational and community engagement

  • Comparative UK–Nigeria research development

International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF) 2026

Funder: Bangor University / UK International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF)

Purpose: International workshop support

Contribution to Research: Supported practitioner and stakeholder knowledge exchange

This award supported the organisation of an international workshop bringing together food redistribution practitioners, policymakers, academics, and community organisations from Wales and Nigeria. The funding enabled participatory sessions, cross-country knowledge exchange, and the co-development of practical insights on surplus food redistribution, sustainability, and governance across Global North and Global South contexts.

Research Impact Enabled by Funding

  • Facilitated international knowledge exchange among food redistribution practitioners, researchers, and stakeholders in Wales and Nigeria.

  • Development of comparative insights into food redistribution, sustainability, and governance across contexts in the Global North and the Global South.

  • Strengthening collaborations between academic institutions, community organisations, and food redistribution practitioners.

  • Co-developing learning insights and practical recommendations to guide future research, policy discussions, and organisational practices.

Taith Mobility Support 2026

Funder: Taith Wales

Purpose: International collaboration and mobility

Contribution to Research: Facilitated international engagement and workshop support

Taith funding supported international collaboration activities associated with the Surplus Food Systems Research programme. The award facilitated engagement between stakeholders in Wales and Nigeria and strengthened opportunities for cross-cultural dialogue, knowledge exchange, and collaborative learning around food systems sustainability.

Research Impact Enabled by Funding

  • Enabled international mobility and collaboration between partners in Wales and Nigeria.

  • Facilitated cross-cultural dialogue and mutual learning focused on the sustainability of food systems and food access.

  • Expanded international research networks and increased opportunities for future collaboration.

  • Increased the global reach and visibility of research on surplus food redistribution and sustainability.

Bangor University Community Fund 2026

Funder: Bangor University

Purpose: Community engagement and workshop delivery

Contribution to Research: Supported practitioner participation and community-based knowledge exchange.

This award supported the delivery of the Wales component of this international food systems workshop. The funding enabled community organisations, practitioners, and stakeholders to participate in discussions on food redistribution, sustainability, and food access, helping to bridge academic research and community practice.

Research Impact Enabled by Funding

  • Supported community participation in international food systems discussions and knowledge exchange activities.

  • Enabled engagement between researchers, practitioners, and local organisations working on food access and sustainability.

  • Strengthened connections between academic research and community-based practice in North Wales.

  • Facilitated the delivery of a collaborative workshop on food redistribution, food waste reduction, and sustainable food systems.

Santander Summer Employability 2024

Funder: Santander Universities

Purpose: Professional skills development and specialist training

Contribution to Research: Supported the development of professional knowledge relevant to food systems, sustainability, and environmental management.

This award supported my participation in specialist training programmes, including Environmental Management Systems (ISO 14001:2015), Environmental Management and Ethics, and Food Hygiene and Safety. The training deepened my knowledge of environmental governance, sustainability practice, and food safety, strengthening both the practical and interdisciplinary dimensions of the research.

Research Impact Enabled by Funding

  • Strengthened knowledge of environmental management and sustainability frameworks.

  • Enhanced understanding of food safety and governance within food systems.

  • Supported the application of interdisciplinary approaches to food waste and food insecurity research.

  • Contributed to professional development and employability within sustainability, food systems, and research sectors.

Santander Career Support Fund (Wales) 2026

Funder: Santander Open Academy

Purpose: Research dissemination and professional development

Contribution to Research: Supported participation in an international academic conference.

This award supported conference registration for the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) Annual International Conference. Participation provided an opportunity to present research findings, engage with international scholars, receive feedback from academic peers, and contribute to ongoing discussions on food systems, sustainability, and food redistribution.

Research Impact Enabled by Funding

  • Enabled the dissemination of research findings to an international academic audience

  • Facilitated engagement with researchers working across food systems, sustainability, and development studies.

  • Strengthened academic networks and opportunities for future collaboration.

  • Supported professional development through conference participation and scholarly exchange.