Photo by Beyza Yurtkuran on Unsplash

FoodSEqual Policy film

Dr Katerina Psarikidou, Assistant Professor at the Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU) at the University of Sussex Business School, has been playing a leading role in a major national initiative to reshape how food policy is created and implemented across the UK.

As Policy Lead and Co-Investigator for FoodSEqual – a £6 million UKRI-funded project – Dr Psarikidou has helped bring together a large and diverse network of academic institutions, local authorities, community organisations, and industry partners. The project’s ambitious goal? To empower citizens in disadvantaged communities to influence the food they eat by co-developing new products, policy frameworks and supply chains that are healthy, sustainable, affordable, and culturally appropriate.

Shaping policy with communities, not just for them

FoodSEqual is rooted in a belief that meaningful change in food systems must begin by listening to those most affected by inequalities. At Sussex, Dr Psarikidou has led the policy research strand, focusing on how to achieve more inclusive, community-driven food policymaking.

Working in close partnership with public sector and community organisations in Brighton and Hove and Reading, the team co-designed innovative research methods to engage residents in food policy conversations. These included community policy workshops, interactive public consultations, co-produced policy briefs and two standout dissemination outputs:

• The FoodSEqual Policy Film – a documentary-style film capturing community voices and the journey of co-producing food policy.
• Foodtopia – a unique video game that invites players to explore food system challenges and make real-world policy decisions based on project findings.

Local impact: Brighton and Hove as a living lab for food policy innovation

FoodSEqual has contributed directly to local food policy development in Brighton and Hove, in collaboration with Brighton and Hove Food Partnership and Brighton and Hove City Council.

One tangible outcome: community policy recommendations on Healthy Start Vouchers and junk food advertising led to a city-wide campaign using 50 digital bus stop adverts to promote access to healthy food schemes. The campaign has since inspired a wider City Council policy banning fast food advertising on bus stops across Brighton and Hove – a major public health milestone for the city.

The project's collaborative evaluation report, survey data, and policy brief helped inform this intervention and will continue to support future policy development.

Advancing civic mission through research

FoodSEqual exemplifies the Business School’s commitment to civic engagement and research with impact. As Dr Psarikidou reflects:

“Policy shapes our everyday experiences around food – we all have a say and should be involved in shaping it. Collaborating with communities and local organisations is not only key to driving change, but also to giving back to those we work with. I’d like to say a huge thank you to all our collaborators across the UK for their trust and commitment throughout this journey – and to UKRI for funding this vital work.”

Get involved

• Watch the FoodSEqual Policy Film to hear directly from the communities involved
• Play Foodtopia and explore how citizen input can shape food policy
• Take part in the current policy survey to share your views