Sustainable seafood production provide food security in a changing world
Abstract
The aim of the research theme “Sustainable Seafood Production to Ensure Food Security in a Changing World” is to expand and strengthen our existing partnership in response to the urgent need for effective food security management amid conflicts, natural disasters, and climate change. For 2026, we plan to specifically invite more delegates from the social sciences, along with other key novel participants, to further consolidate our interdisciplinary team and enhance the potential for societal impact. Invitations will be extended to all Swedish and Chilean universities participating in ACCESS.
This collaboration builds on the exchange of research experiences in sustainable aquaculture from both countries, identifying synergies and areas where we can complement each other's expertise. The forum's objective is to plan activities beyond 2026, including a joint review led by junior scientists, a transdisciplinary PhD course titled “Transdisciplinary Approaches to Sustainable Food Production through Aquaculture”, and a bilateral young researcher exchange. Several joint research applications have already been submitted, and planning for young researcher mobility, joint publications, and the PhD course has been initiated. Therefore, the opportunity to meet in person is crucial to finalize the action plan and execute activities beyond ACCESS 2026.
The invitation and selection of new participants will ensure a good gender balance and a mix of young and senior researchers, with a strong emphasis on the active participation of PhD students and postdocs.
Key word: Food
EXPECTATIONS FOR PARTICIPANTS
This research theme addresses major societal challenges related to food security and sustainable food production in the context of ongoing climate change and international conflicts. Food preparedness and security are top priorities for both Sweden and Chile, and we believe that the expansion of sustainable aquaculture—covering both animal farming and seaweed cultivation—holds unique potential to ensure local supply, including through “live storage” of nutritious seafood with a low carbon footprint.
Such complex challenges cannot be solved within a single discipline. Therefore, we are broadly inviting researchers from diverse fields to participate and help transcend traditional boundaries in aquaculture research. By integrating expertise in social, economic, environmental, and biological sciences, we aim to establish truly transdisciplinary approaches, foster exchange of experiences, and promote the mobility of young researchers.
We envision active contributions from all participants within this research theme through: speed talks, engaging workshops leading to conclusive discussions on joint research projects, planning of internships for young researchers, collaborative work on joint publications, and the development of a joint interdisciplinary PhD course with the working title: “Transdisciplinary Approaches to Sustainable Food Production through Aquaculture”.
Phillip James Dettleff Saundes, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Phillip Dettleff is an academic at the School of Veterinary Medicine at Universidad Católica de Chile, where he serves as a professor in Genetics. With over ten years of experience in the aquaculture field, his research focuses on the effects of environmental stressors and host-pathogen interactions in fish. He is particularly interested in the diversification of Chilean aquaculture species, including salmonids. His work utilizes genetics and genomics to address challenges in both native and commercially important species, with the goal of promoting sustainable aquaculture production.
Kristina Snuttan Sundell, University of Gothenburg
Kristina Snuttan Sundell is the Director of the Swedish Mariculture Research Center (SWEMARC) and the Blue Food Center. She is a professor in Zoophysiology with 40 years of experience in aquaculture, specializing in invertebrate and fish physiology. Her basic research focuses on life stage transitions, nutrition, stress, immunology, health, welfare, and the endocrine control of these processes in marine animals. Her applied research aims at the sustainable development of diversified aquaculture systems and species, as well as the exploration of novel feed ingredients.
CONTACT US:
Phillip: phillip.dettleff@uc.cl
Kristina: kristina.sundell@bioenv.gu.se