The College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences (ACES) at the University of Illinois hosted its 9th Annual Food Security Symposium in April to focus on interdisciplinary approaches to global food security, according to a May 5 announcement.
The symposium brought together students, faculty, and stakeholders from across ACES to discuss how different departments can contribute expertise toward addressing food security. Dean Germán Bollero said during the event’s opening, “Food security is one challenge that touches every part of our college. From crop production and environmental systems to economics, nutrition, engineering, and community development — every department in ACES has expertise that contributes to this work.”
The two-day event featured thematic panels covering multiple disciplines as well as opportunities for students to present their research. The program concluded with a participatory workshop aimed at shaping future strategies for interdisciplinary work within the college. Mary Arends-Kuenning, associate dean for international programs, said: “This annual symposium has traditionally focused on a specific topic related to food security but this year we chose to look inward at the work we are already doing to reimagine how to best position ACES to be the most impactful moving forward.”
Students were able to showcase their efforts through undergraduate poster sessions and graduate student lighting talks competitions. Lauren Karplus, associate director for international programs and symposium organizer, said: “The student sessions really emphasized the diversity of the work being done in ACES towards food security. Our undergraduates showed off their posters on topics ranging from school feeding programs in Cameroon and commercializing soybean varieties in Africa to detecting microplastics in eggs. Our graduate students also presented on a range of topics including global beef demand, using soil microbes to expand maize production, and how living with grandparents can help nutrition. They were all so impressive.” Additional session topics included circular bioeconomy initiatives, perennial grains research, ethical collaborations from an African perspective, and dietary transitions.
An interactive closing workshop allowed participants to develop strategies for enhancing ACES’s impact on global food security moving forward. Karplus said: “Some key takeaways included that Extension is very interested in being more involved internationally, and that although our college is already doing a lot of the needed work, we need to work a bit harder to make interdisciplinary connections among the college. The symposium also renewed ACES commitment to international work overall.”
The University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences allocates $3.8 million annually in scholarships for students; maintains a 96% freshman retention rate; offers over 400 study abroad opportunities; utilizes extension services promoting social well-being through nutrition programs; conducts research via its Illinois Agricultural Experiment Station; and aims broadly at advancing knowledge for global benefit—all according to its official website.
