In this interview, we sit down with Dr Rebecca Wells, Programme Director of our MSc in Food Policy.
Academic interests and expertise
Can you tell us about your academic and research background?
I was a food journalist and BBC producer for over 10 years before completing my PhD in Food Policy at City St George’s, University of London. I have since worked on research projects as a Research Fellow as well as working as a Teaching Fellow on the food systems university network Interdisciplinary Food Systems Teaching and Learning (IFSTAL). City St George’s is a member of IFSTAL and students can take part in activities such as interactive workshops and an annual summer school with students from other universities including Universities of Oxford, Warwick and Reading and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
I am now a Senior Lecturer in the Centre for Food Policy in the School of Health & Medical Sciences at the University. My research revolves around food policy communication. I investigate how the media covers food policy issues such as food and drink taxes. I am also passionate about food education – how can we best teach the next generation about food?
What inspired you to specialise in your current field of study?
My role as a teacher and lecturer, as well as my research into food pedagogy, has really inspired me to think about food education as well as the policies that govern food education. I am interested in this because of my own teaching in higher education and my involvement in schools as a parent and advisor.
Food choices are formed early on in life and these can play a huge role in individual health as well as planetary and social sustainability. Food education throughout the life course can shape societal roles, norms and behaviours. I want to research, shape and impact food policies that can help us to educate the next generation of eaters and food system thinkers. In this way we can help secure a healthier and more equitable and diverse planetary ecosystem.
What do you enjoy most about teaching and mentoring students?
I really enjoy meeting and getting to know our students – from talking to prospective students at open evenings and online Q&A sessions to meeting students in class and mentoring them over the course of their MSc programme. I enjoy working with students, whether as their personal tutor or their dissertation supervisor.
Supporting students through their academic journey is incredibly fulfilling, and we as lecturers learn a huge amount from their experiences and the insights they bring to class, as well as the skills and ingenuity that they pour into their assignments. It’s great to see students overcome challenges and take on opportunities to achieve their aims and graduate at the end of the programme. I love to see where students take their learning and really enjoy leading our vibrant alumni community.
Why this course?
What makes this postgraduate programme unique within its field?
There are few courses in the world that offer the opportunity to study food policy and that is one of the reasons why this course stands out. We have been teaching food policy for over 20 years and the programme offers a fantastically rich network of contacts from the food sector.
Whether you want to work in policy in national or local government, food industry or advocacy for example charities or NGOs, our diverse network of students, staff and alumni can enrich your knowledge and career network. Students study a wide variety of practical policy making skills which are useful for anyone working in policy whether at local, national or international level. From value chain analysis to rapid evidence assessment, from in depth qualitative and quantitative data analysis to writing punchy policy briefs, students amass skills and knowledge that transfers well into diverse settings.
What support is offered to help students transition from undergraduate to postgraduate study?
Whether students have just graduated from an undergraduate degree or are returning to study after a break, they are fully supported by the programme teaching staff and other support services. Our Academic Skills sessions at the beginning of the first term of study are designed to help students navigate academic processes and the skills needed to successfully navigate module assignments. We have sessions on using the library effectively for example to conduct literature searches, academic writing sessions and sessions on citing and referencing.
Every student is assigned a Personal Tutor to help them navigate through the MSc Food Policy programme. Personal Tutors can support students if they meet any challenges and can help them find the right service in the university to go to whether that is the Mental Health team or the Careers Service.
Are there opportunities for students to tailor the programme based on their specific academic or career interests?
There are four taught modules on the programme plus a dissertation module. Each module has two assignments. For almost all the assignments students can choose a topic themselves, either from a list provided or according to their own interests. This gives students the opportunity to tailor their work to help them develop their own interests which can then be useful for approaching or attracting relevant employers.
During the dissertation module students are expected to develop an idea for a research project that they will undertake and complete themselves – with the support of an academic supervisor drawn from the staff of the Centre for Food Policy.
Career paths
How does the programme help students develop skills for their future careers, whether in academia or industry?
Alongside the Academic Skills sessions we run a series of Employability Sessions from the beginning of the year, to support students with their future career paths. There are several scheduled alumni events during the year where course alumni return to offer current students advice and the opportunity to network. Relevant job and PhD opportunities are regularly shared on our programme virtual learning platform via Moodle.
The university has a fantastic Careers Service where students can access multiple careers resources as well as the opportunity to book one-to-one sessions reviewing their CV, going over applications or providing interview practice sessions. Students have access to the Careers Service up to three years after graduation.
What career paths have graduates from this programme typically followed?
Graduates typically find jobs in three different sectors of the food system: government, civil service, or public sector employers; food industry employers or third sector employers (NGOs, non-profits, advocacy groups). Roles that students have gone onto include:
- Policy Officer
- Researcher
- Food Sustainability Development Officer
- Senior Research Officer
- Policy Engagement Manager
- Campaigns Officer
- Impact Lead
- Account Manager
- Purchasing Manager
- Research Analyst
- Sustainability Manager.
Tips for offer holders
If you could highlight one thing that students should look forward to in this programme, what would it be?
Engaging and effective teaching from knowledgeable, enthusiastic and highly skilled staff, working at the cutting edge of food policy.
What advice would you give offer holders as they prepare to join this course?
Sign up for our newsletter to find out more about the work the Centre for Food Policy does and hear more about the wonderful work our students and alumni are engaging in. Sign up for our events and regular webinars. https://researchcentres.citystgeorges.ac.uk/food-policy/sign-up