What does … the Professorship of Global Nutrition and Health Policy … actually do?

What specifically are you researching at the new faculty in Kulmbach? 
I research the political preconditions of innovative health and nutrition policies. At the moment, I am mainly concerned with nutrition labelling regulations in the context of the prevention of non-communicable diseases. In this important new policy field, many Latin American countries, especially Chile, are far ahead of us Europeans. Here in Germany, too, we are observing a diet-related increase in first-world diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. But the German state is still very reluctant when it comes to effectively warning consumers about the dangers of an unhealthy diet, and to protecting them accordingly.   

What do you see as the (potential) benefits of this research?
It has become increasingly clear in recent years that a fundamental transformation of our food system and our diets is necessary. I am convinced that, at its core, this is primarily a political challenge. Hence, insights into how modern and effective nutrition policies can be politically implemented are of central importance for policymakers and society. Various political factors currently stand in the way of a more effective prevention of diet-related chronic diseases in Germany, not least the generally very short-term orientation of politicians, but also the current composition of the Bundestag as well as the pronounced political influence of food and beverage industry interests. Through my research projects, I want to provide evidence for these and other causal relationships, and thus ultimately contribute to more effective preventive measures.

Do you cooperate with companies or public institutions in the region? With which ones and to what extent?
Not yet. But I would be happy to enter a dialogue with local political actors on possible innovations in municipal nutrition and health policy.