Fuse Research Events
SAVE THE DATE - Planning for a Healthier Food Environment
- Venue: Online
- Start: Tue, 23 Sep 2025 12:00:00 BST
- End: Tue, 23 Sep 2025 13:00:00 BST
About this event
A new, free e-learning course called Planning for a Healthier Food Environment has been launched to support local authorities and communities in using the planning system to promote healthier diets and reduce obesity. The course was developed through a collaborative effort between Fuse (the Centre for Translational Research in Public Health), academic experts from Teesside University and Newcastle University, and the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID).
This one-hour online event will introduce the wider policy and planning context for the course, provide insights into its cross-disciplinary development, and outline how the resource can be applied in practice to support healthier, more equitable environments.
Proposed programme
- Scene Setting – Sam Montel and Nina Reynolds (Office for Health Improvement and Disparities)
An overview of the national planning and public health context, including the importance of place-based approaches to tackling obesity.
- Training Development – Dr Helen Moore (Teesside University)
A summary of how the training was co-produced, the academic input involved, and the relevance to professionals working across sectors.
- Overview of the Training – Professor Tim Townshend (Newcastle University) and Professor Amelia Lake (Teesside University)
A guided explanation of the training content, format, intended users, and practical application.
- Discussion and Q&A – Chaired by Professor Tim Townshend, with panel members from Newcastle University, Teesside University and OHID.
An opportunity for attendees to ask questions, discuss the course, and consider its relevance to local practice.
What you will gain
- A clear understanding of how the planning system can shape food environments and support public health goals.
- Insights into the collaborative development of the training and the evidence behind it.
- Practical guidance on how to access and apply the training in your local context.
Who should attend?
- Professionals working in local authorities, including those in planning, public health, environmental health, regeneration, and related areas.
- Academics, researchers, and students interested in public health and the built environment.
- Voluntary, community sector and public partners with an interest in creating healthier places to live and work.
Registration and full programme to follow
