What's happening in START?
START is constantly evolving and full of life. By joining the START community, you gain access to the many events and activities taking place within START.
On this page, you will find an overview of a number of the recurring START events and activites, such as the START Annual Conference, Monthly Talks, the PhD and Early Career Researcher Course, and UC Davis California-Denmark Innovator Fellowship.
Read more below to discover the life of START.
START Monthly Talks
START is hosting a series of Monthly Talks every last Thursday of the month from 13:00 to 14:00.
During this online event an invited speaker will give a 30-45 presentation about a START relevant topic followed by plenum questions and discussions.
This monthly activity provides an excellent opportunity for START members to gain insight in important aspects of the green transition of agrifood systems.
Next Monthly Talk: April 24 - 1 pm
The speaker for this talk is Associate Professor Stine Kramer Jacobsen from the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen who will present her research on biodiversity in and around cultivation areas in relation to crop production.
START Annual Conference: Green Minds Gather 2025
Watch the videos from last year's conference and get a feel for the dynamic knowledge-exchanging atmosphere.
START PhD and Early Career Researchers Course
Sustainable Food Systems and Interdisciplinary Research Practices: A Mission Driven Approach
What insights can you gain from this course?
Sustainable food systems are critical to addressing global challenges related to food security, environmental degradation, and social equity. Viewed from a value chain perspective, the food system involves a diverse array of stakeholders, including those in production, manufacturing, retail, research, and policy. To promote meaningful progress, an interdisciplinary approach is essential—one that integrates social, health, and environmental sciences alongside industry expertise. This holistic framework can accelerate the green transition by equipping stakeholders with the tools and knowledge needed to develop innovative, sustainable solutions across the food system.
The curriculum focuses on equipping future scientists with the essential skills needed to tackle the multifaceted challenges of sustainable food systems. The primary goal is to highlight the broader role of food science in society and underscore the critical importance of sustainable practices.
The secondary goal is to build competencies in relation to project management, grant proposal writing, effective communication, and appreciation of interdisciplinarity. These competencies are developed through a dynamic and interactive program featuring presentations, group discussions, and talks by leading Danish and international food experts.
Application deadline: May 10 2025
California-Denmark Innovator Fellowship
The California-Denmark Fellowship program is a unique opportunity to spend 6 months at the University of California, Davis, advancing your career in the American research and innovation environment. The objective of your stay will be to learn how to translate your research discoveries into innovations that can have an impact.
Live in Davis, California for 6 months, where you will be immersed in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. As a fellow with the UC Davis Innovation Institute for Food and Health, you will be immersed in a leading translational research lab, learning techniques for how to effectively bring research to market such as understanding technology readiness levels and de-risking technologies. Simultaneously, as part of IIFH you will conduct commercialization research activities such as developing an investment thesis and market assessment map, learn to conduct due diligence and more, with mentorship from IIFH venture capital partners. Supplemental seminars from UC Davis business faculty, startup founders and investors will round out your experience and prepare you as a leader in the academic innovation space.
