About the lecture series

How can research contribute to more just, resilient and sustainable food futures?

The 2026 Basel Sustainability Forum brings together researchers and practitioners working at the intersection of food systems, sustainability science and societal change. Speakers from disciplines including agronomy, public health, economics, political science, and science and technology studies will address challenges ranging from food security and access to the governance of food technologies and the transformation of agricultural systems.

The series aims to move beyond describing problems and deficiencies by exploring how research can actively contribute to sustainable transformations.

The Basel Sustainability Forum is open to anyone with an interest in sustainability and provides a space for exchange around research and the real-world challenges of feeding a growing global population.

Chair: Max Bergman, Social Transitions Research Group

Programme

23 September 2026
Max Bergman & Janina Grabs
Introduction
Regulating sustainability in food value chains

7 October 2026
Yuan Zhou
Is Small Beautiful? Challenges and Opportunities in Smallholder Agriculture in the Global South

14 October 2026
Olivier Ejderyan
We drunk wine and broke a robot: Addressing working conditions in steep vineyards through transdisciplinary research

21 October 2026
Tour of Brauerei Ferment with Caroline Kulangara
Appenzellerstrasse 14, Basel
Maximum 25 participants. Registration: Zinette.Bergman@unibas.ch

11 November 2026
Julius Malin
Historical Foodways and Sustainable Futures: Christian Farming Initiatives in the Rural United States

18 November 2026
Basil Bornemann
Topic to be announced

25 November 2026
Martina Bozzola
The future of food system analysis

2 December 2026
Max Bergman
Multi-logic future-readiness for food systems

9 December 2026
Eucor / Sustainability Office
Roundtable and Apéro