Social Network Analysis of Food System Science Networks. FoSSNet Deliverable 2.1

This study examines the collaborative relations and structures within food systems science in Europe after an era of expansion, fuelled by research policy and funding. Methods 1) survey-based social network analysis centred on relations among individual researchers and practitioners and linkages to hubs for food systems science, and 2) participatory validation through workshops in 12 European countries. The insights obtained are used to derive challenges and opportunities for developing a network as part of a science-policy-society interface for food system transformation. The scope of the analysis is the community established by and through the collaborative research project European Food Systems Science Network (FoSSNet). Results The FoSSNet community functioned as a “network of networks”, with survey respondents (N=186) collectively engaged in at least 197 networks and 114 projects, primarily at European and national scales indicating extensive cross-platform involvement. Country-level social network analysis (restricted to subsample countries with ≥10 responses and ≥80% response rates) showed substantial variation in community structures. Portfolio mapping of the 22 most cited initiatives showed strong coverage of governance, policy, innovation, and nutrition-related themes, but comparatively weaker engagement in other domains, such as environmental conditions, suggesting network-level gaps in representation. Six interrelated structural gaps in the network were identified, including (1) weak bridging across communities (2) hub dependency (3) limited collaboration beyond research (4) restricted engagement outside academia (5) barriers for early-career researchers, and (6) uneven geographical coverage. In the participatory processes, these gaps were validated. Validation workshop articipants (N=148) understood structural gaps are systemic and mutually reinforcing, suggesting that strengthening interdisciplinarity, transdisciplinarity, and inclusivity could act as leverage points for improving network resilience, diversity, and policy relevance. Recommendations were identified to strengthen the contribution of the emerging food systems science network to the science-policy-society interface for food systems transformation.