Brian Cook Email & Phone Number

Conducting research on "The Role of International Funders in Promoting Industrial Animal Agriculture in Southeast Asia" as part of the Burning Questions Fellowship.In this role, I am investigating the complex landscape of international financing for industrial animal agriculture in Thailand and Vietnam. My research involves a comprehensive analysis of funding dynamics, policy contexts, and the motivations driving international funders. To gather data, I'm reviewing a wide range of sources including academic publications, grey literature, and online resources. Additionally, I'm conducting in-depth interviews with key stakeholders such as NGOs, policy makers, farmers, and funding agencies to gain first-hand insights. The research will also include policy analysis on the directives and guidelines that shape funding decisions and their implementation in the region.The fellowship's final report will be an accessible resource explaining the impact of international funders on the expansion of industrial animal agriculture in Southeast Asia, filling a critical knowledge gap for front-line organizations and campaigners.

I am currently supporting the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact by developing research that integrates urban food system indicators into city climate action plans, inspired by the Barcelona Challenge for Good Food and Climate. I am developing draft climate actions and indicators for review by MUFPP and BCGFC signatory cities. I also facilitate the MUFPP cities working group. A subsequent phase will include providing technical support to BCGFC pilot cities who will test the new and adapted climate indicators as a way to evaluate their progress in promoting healthy and sustainable urban-regional food systems. My role involves hands-on collaboration and strategic guidance to drive actionable insights and promote environmentally responsible governance.

Thanks to funding from the Tiny Beam Burning Questions Fellowship, I had the privilege of leading a research project aimed at reducing meat consumption through effective behaviour change strategies in Brazil. I explored the personal, cultural, environmental influences, and the role of government policies in meat consumption and reduction in Brazil. By assessing the evidence on various behavioural and informational strategies, I aimed to uncover insights that are not only applicable to meat reduction but also resonate with broader health behaviour changes, such as promoting healthy eating habits.A significant part of my work involved navigating potential challenges and trade-offs, such as unintended nutritional, environmental, or equity consequences. The result was guidance memo report that serves as a blueprint for frontline workers and advocacy groups in Brazil. This document outlines the essential steps to design, implement, and evaluate behaviour and information strategies tailored to the unique contexts of Brazil. Through this project, I gained profound insights into the dynamics of behaviour change, how to adapt evidence from the Global North to the Brazilian context, the importance of cultural sensitivity, and crafting a scientifically sound yet clear language report.Effective Behaviour Change Strategies to Promote Meat Reduction in Brazil:Guidance Memo Prepared for the Tiny Beam Fundhttps://www.issuelab.org/resources/42496/42496.pdf

As the Research Manager for Investment Partnerships at WBCSD, I led the Knowledge for Investment (K4I) Initiative, aimed at scaling investment in sustainable food and land use systems. I designed and led qualitative research with diverse business and finance stakeholders, focusing on de-risking strategies for sustainable investment, in collaboration with the FAO Investment Centre. I was instrumental in drafting key reports, including a sector-specific action plan and led the writing of the final K4I report, while managing our partnership with the funder and supporting the Good Food Finance Network.

I led the development of a literature review assessing the evidence regarding consumer interactions with sustainability labelling, including their influence on the actual or intended purchase and consumption of foods. The review is an internal Commission report used to inform their policy process but it was adapted to a published paper in 2023:Cook, B., Costa Leite, J., Rayner, M., Stoffel, S., van Rijn, E., & Wollgast, J. (2023). Consumer Interaction with Sustainability Labelling on Food Products: A Narrative Literature Review. Nutrients, 15(17), 3837.

Oxford, United Kingdom

I led the consumer behaviour work package for a Wellcome Trust funded programme of research, "Livestock, Environment & People", that explores the health, environmental, social, and economic outcomes of animal sourced food. My work focussed on designing, implementing, and evaluating studies to identify effective behavioural strategies to promote healthier and more sustainable diets. For example, in 2019, I led a trial that tested the effect on sales of moving meat-free alternatives to the meat aisle by working with a major UK food retailer to reposition these products in 20 supermarkets. Later, I led a research collaboration with foodservice leader Compass UK to test interventions in their cafeterias such as ecolabels displayed on menus. As part of the role, I was also responsible for managing a small team of researchers and a £1.5 million project budget.

London, England, United Kingdom

As an experienced technical advisor in food system research, I was asked to support the development and testing of the FAO's Rapid Urban Food System Assessment Tool (RUFSAT). The tool represents a milestone in the understanding and analysis of urban food systems, enabling stakeholders to make informed decisions that enhance food security and sustainability in urban settings. I provided strategic advice during the development of the Food Systems Profile for small cities and towns, aimed at tailoring food system strategies to the unique needs and dynamics of smaller urban centres.Additionally, I played a pivotal role in advising on the food systems strategy for Nairobi City/County. This involved a comprehensive analysis of the existing food system and the identification of leverage points for enhancing food security, nutrition, and economic growth within the city. My contributions were geared towards fostering a resilient and sustainable food system that can serve as a model for urban centres globally.

I had the privilege of contributing to the FAO’s NADHALI Project, "Developing Sustainable Food Systems for Urban Areas." My role was to provide technical support for pilot initiatives in Nairobi (Kenya), Dhaka (Bangladesh), and Lima (Peru), aiming to revolutionise urban food systems for enhanced sustainability and resilience. I played a pivotal role in advising staff and civil society partners on the development of the Nairobi City County Food System Strategy. This involved guiding a broad range of stakeholders through the complexities of food system assessment, indicator development, and the cultivation of champions to support the strategy. I supported city/county staff through remote contact, webinars, and in-country consultations, focusing on community engagement and the creation of a multi-stakeholder platform.I co-led two workshops in Kenya. The first, in Naivasha (October 2017), focused on scoping out priorities for the Nairobi Food Systems Strategy. The second, in Nairobi (May 2018), centred on strategic planning for the Food Systems Multi-Stakeholders Platform. These workshops were instrumental in aligning the diverse interests and objectives of various stakeholders towards a common goal of sustainable urban food systems.My experience with the NADHALI Project has not only deepened my expertise in sustainable food system development but also reinforced my belief in the power of collaborative approaches to solve complex global challenges.

As a Special Advisor to RUAF for the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact (MUFPP) Indicator Development, I worked within a small team to develop 44 innovative food system indicators to aid the global implementation of the MUFPP for FAO. This role required a nuanced understanding of the diverse challenges and opportunities within global food systems, particularly focusing on the unique contexts of cities in the Global South. I assessed the applicability of indicators across various urban environments, ensuring their relevance and utility in promoting sustainable diets, nutrition, and reducing food waste. Engaging directly with key contacts from various cities, I gathered feedback, which was instrumental in refining and adapting our approach to meet the specific needs of these urban areas.My work also involved extensive research into the methodologies for collecting and analysing data pertinent to MUFPP actions. The research laid the foundation for drafting comprehensive guideline documents for each indicator. These guidelines provided clear, evidence-based rationales, along with descriptions of appropriate methodologies, measures, and variables, designed to support MUFPP signatory cities in implementing effective and sustainable food policies.

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

As a Senior Researcher for the Toronto Food Strategy at Toronto Public Health, I led pioneering work to create a healthier and more sustainable food system for over 2.6 million residents of Toronto, with an emphasis on supporting lower-income, diverse communities. My role as the research and policy lead allowed me to author critical publications, including the foundational "Cultivating Food Connections" report in 2010, which marked the beginning of the Toronto Food Strategy project.I spearheaded the Toronto Public Health children's food marketing project, drafting key technical reports that contributed to the Toronto Board of Health's unanimous call for a national ban on commercial advertising to children. My expertise was further recognized through my advisory roles on several national policy advisory bodies, including the Marketing2Kids campaign led by the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada.Notably, I led Canada's most comprehensive Healthy Corner Store initiative from 2014 to 2016, which achieved a remarkable 49% increase in fresh produce sales at the primary pilot site, demonstrating the project's significant impact on community health. My international experience includes serving as a Senior Technical Advisor to the City of Cape Town, South Africa, where I collaborated with municipal staff on developing a regional food strategy.My work extended to significant contributions to statutory city planning and zoning initiatives, such as the innovative Residential Apartment Commercial zoning category, fostering neighbourhood revitalization and economic opportunities in lower-income areas. Throughout my tenure, I regularly shared our findings with local and national audiences, underscoring the importance of integrated, community-focused approaches to public health and food security.