The AFN Network+’s Second ‘Big Tent’ Event takes place in Sheffield on March 13th and 14th. The ‘Big Tent’ is the annual meeting of the Network and an opportunity for participants to hear from, and engage with, researchers, business leaders, policy-makers and voluntary organisations working for change in the agri-food system to meet the UK’s net zero 2050 goal. The programme is designed around inclusivity and involvement, to maximise opportunities for networking between participants, with a mix of keynote talks, panel sessions and breakout discussions. This year’s ‘Big Tent’ will review the main priorities for research and action for the agri-food system’s net zero transition, help shape the £600K second call for proposals for research and innovation and discuss the main ways that AFN Network+ activities can support members in advancing change over the next 18 months. The challenge is huge, the timescale is urgent, the work is serious, but our hope is to have fun along the way. Join us in the AFN Network+ and sign up for the ‘Big Tent’ below.

Attendance (including catering and an evening meal on 13 March) is free. Delegates must have an interest in the AFN Network+ and experience in the agri-food sector. We have some funding available to support your travel and accommodation if your institution is unable to provide this for you. Early Career Researchers are eligible for 100% funding, anyone else is supported at 80%. If you would like to request this please provide explanatory details when you register and specify whether or not you are an ECR.

Accommodation

If you require accommodation for the event, there are a number of options:

Crowne Plaza

We have reserved a number of rooms at the hotel where the Big Tent is taking place. The rooms are available at the special delegate price of £124 B&B for the night of13 March. This price is valid until five weeks before the event (6 February) after which rates are subject to availability. You can book a room here. The special delegate price only applies on 13 March.

Other hotels nearby

OYO Flagship Sheffield City Centre, 5 minute walk, approx £50 per night

The Quays Hotel, 5 minute walk, approx £115 per night

Travelodge, 10 minute walk, approx £40 per night

easyHotel, 10 minute walk, approx £40 per night

Draft Agenda

Day 1: Wednesday 13th March

10:00 Arrivals and registration, coffee, tea and pastries

10:30 Introduction and welcome: Angelina Sanderson Bellamy (AFN Network+ Co-Lead and Professor of Food Systems at the University of West of England)

10:45 Keynote speech: Sue Pritchard (Chief Executive at The Food Farming & Countryside Commission)

11.15 From scenarios to research priorities - update on work from scenarios to research and policy priorities. Neil Ward (Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research at the University of East Angli, and AFN Network+ co-lead)

11:30 Break out: Translating our Priorities for research and policy into funding themes for the 2nd round of scoping studies: how can we achieve maximum impact with £600k?

12:30 Lunch

13:30 Introduction to the 2024 Champions. Stefan Kepinski (Head of the School of Biology at the University of Leeds and AFN Network+ co-lead)

14:00 Breakout sessions with Network Champions:

Health and Sustainable Diets
Land Productivity
Food Self-sufficiency
Land Use and Land Management
Circular Food Systems
Behaviour Change

14:45 The AFN Network+ aspirations - your hopes and relevant experiences. Sarah Bridle (Chair in Food, Climate and Society at the University of York and AFN Network+ co-lead)

15:15 Speed meeting

15:45 Coffee and tea break

16:30 Keynote speech: Navaratnam Partheeban (Co-Founder, British Veterinary Ethnicity and Diversity Society): Diversity and the need for a greater range of perspectives at the decision-making table

17:00 Panel discussion: Navaratnam Partheeban, Mike Duxbury (Managing Director at Inclusivefarm), Caroline Mason (Chief Executive Officer of the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, Catherine Chong (Sustainability & Regenerative Advisor), Dominic Watters (Council estate speaker and writer)

19:00 Dinner

Day 2: Thursday 14th March

9:00 Coffee and tea

9:15 Funding opportunities and potential & discussion (UKRI)

9:45 Breakout sessions with scoping study and flex fund funding recipients

11:00 Coffee and tea break.

11:30 The AFN Network+ plans for 2024 and 2025 - taking into account your feedback

12:00 Panel discussion: How can we work together to help reach net zero through agri-food? Estelle Herszenhorn, (Head of Food System Transformation at WRAP), Heiko Balzter (co-lead of the Land Use for Net Zero (LUNZ) Hub), Julie Gray (Institute for Sustainable Food, University of Sheffield)

12:30 Keynote speech: Judith Batchelar (Director, Food Matters International Ltd)

13:00 Lunch

13:45 Unconference topic selection

14:00 “Unconference” session 1

14:45 “Unconference” session 2

15:30 Coffee and tea break

16:00 Event close

AFN Network+ Big Tent Event 2024