Global CFaH Research Showcased at UK Parliament During British Science Week
On 11 March 2026, the Global CFaH Project presented its research at the UK Parliament as part of A Showcase of British Science Expertise and Partnerships on Nutrition. Held at the House of Commons during British Science Week, the event highlighted the vital role of UK-supported science in addressing global malnutrition, hunger, food insecurity, and sustainable food systems. The parliamentary drop-in was co-hosted by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Nutrition for Development and the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee, bringing together researchers, parliamentarians, and international partners.
Representing the University of Exeter, Dr Emily Haynes and Dr Richard Lindsay shared insights from the Global CFaH Project under the theme, “Sustainable food systems research for improved population nutrition.” Their presentation highlighted the project’s systems-based approach to linking food production, sourcing, dietary quality, environmental sustainability, and health outcomes in small island settings. Specifically, they demonstrated how Global CFaH operates across Fiji, Palawan (Philippines), St Lucia, and St Vincent & the Grenadines to examine how agroecological, community-based food production can support improved household nutrition, food security, and planetary health.
Photo: The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Nutrition for Development co-hosted a Parliamentary drop-in together with the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee and six leading nutrition research institutions to mark British Science Week. photo credit: (APPG)
This Parliamentary showcase created a critical opportunity to position small island food systems research within broader global conversations on nutrition and development. Small island states face severe, interconnected pressures, including climate change, heavy reliance on food imports, rising rates of diet-related non-communicable diseases, environmental vulnerability, and disruptions to local food supply chains. Global CFaH’s work demonstrates why evidence from these specific settings is essential for shaping more resilient and equitable food systems globally. The event also reinforced the need for sustained investment in food systems research and equitable global partnerships. Alongside other UK-supported initiatives, Global CFaH contributed to discussions on how research can move beyond academic publications to drive practical, community-informed responses to urgent food and health challenges.
For Global CFaH, this showcase underscores the immense value of bringing small island evidence into high-level policy spaces. By sharing data from community-led interventions and interdisciplinary research, the project ensures that the experiences, challenges, and solutions emerging from small island contexts directly inform global conversations on nutrition, sustainability, and public health.