Education Resources

The UNESCO Chair on Food, Biodiversity and Sustainability Studies centres the role of education in creating, sustaining, and building momentum on sustainable food system transformation. Through formal, informal, and peer-to-peer learning opportunities, the UNESCO Chair links researchers with community partners and students to share key insights from ongoing projects and impact how we imagine sustainable food futures. The UNESCO Chair also provides ongoing student mentorship and training as we contribute to the development of the next generation of innovative thinkers and problem solvers.

To support the educational activities of our networks, the UNESCO Chair creates resources aimed at a broad general audience and interested students.

Handpicked: Stories from the Field Podcast

Handpicked: Stories from the Field is the Laurier Centre for Sustainable Food Systems’ podcast, which highlights the voices of researchers and community partners working to create more sustainable food systems. Each episode includes accompanying educational resources, including discussion questions, transcripts, a glossary, and other materials

Find a full list of episodes, including show notes and educational resources on the Handpicked: Stories from the Field website.

To learn more about how the UNESCO Chair on Food, Biodiversity and Sustainability Studies envisions using podcasts for both conducting research and communicating research stories with the public, watch Alison Blay-Palmer and Amanda Di Battista's keynote address, "Sharing Stories of Sustainable Food System Transformation: Podcasts and Community Learning," at the 2022 Educational Pedagogies and Technologies for Sustainable Development international symposium.

Food, Biodiversity and Sustainability Studies Webinars

As part of our commitment to public education, the UNESCO Chair hosts a variety of online and in-person events, including a regular webinar series that engages with the core themes of the Chair: sustainability, biodiversity, and food systems. All events are recorded and available on the UNESCO Chair on Food, Biodiversity and Sustainability Studies YouTube playlist and content will be added as it becomes available.

UNESCO Chair on Food Biodiversity and Sustainability Studies Webinar Series

Undergraduate Certificate on Food, Biodiversity and Sustainability Studies

The Undergraduate Certificate in Food and Sustainability is a five-course credential open to all Laurier students. The certificate creates opportunities for students to better understand sustainable food systems and build the practical and critical skills they need to become future ready change makers in the field. Students will take courses that use food to explore the three key dimensions of sustainability—environment (e.g., biodiversity, climate change), social justice (e.g., fair livelihoods and work, food access), and local/regional economies (e.g., circular economies, food policy, food supply chains)

This certificate will appeal to students who wish to complement the knowledge they gain through their degrees with a robust understanding of how food can be a lever for sustainable change. This certificate will prepare students to work in food policy, civil society organizations, government, research, academic, and private industry.

To receive updates about the professional certificate, sign up for the Laurier Centre for Sustainable Food Systems’ Mailing List or browse the Laurier Academic Calendar.