This project aims to create a new approach to date labelling and storage advice that will play a role in reducing consumer food waste. Based on previous research, there is a case for better, more consistent storage advice and date labelling to be provided to consumers. This could be on or off packaging, provided with digital data or devices, or a combination of these options, in order to better guide consumers as to how specific foods should be treated, how long food lasts, tips on how to tell if food is in good order to still eat, how to properly handle and store such food physically, and advise on the correct temperature and modes of storage i.e., fridge/ freezer/ passive. All with the aim to reduce confusion and engender better food practices to result in less related food waste in the home. This research addresses the above-mentioned food waste problem twofold, by i) exploring how consumers use (or do not use) “use by” and “best before” dates labelling, and ii) investigating communications about storage advice systems (whether on-pack or off pack), to make decisions about storing and using food and how these decisions might contribute to or reduce food waste. The research investigators seek input (collective intelligence) from consumers, retailers, manufacturers, academics, designers and policymakers (stakeholders) to develop a well-considered, modern date labelling and storage advice approach.Project partners are Department of Environment and Science (Queensland), Green Industries South Australia, New South Wales Environment Protection Authority and Sustainability Victoria

Understanding the perception and use of packaging by consumers and how this plays a role in household food waste generation is an important first step in this project. With a greater understanding of how people appreciate and use packaging, along with the food waste they generate, we can design improved packaging and communications on food waste avoidance that will ultimately reduce food waste.This project aims to understand consumer perceptions of the role of packaging in reducing food waste by:discovering target areas that will help drive packaging design decisions.discovering key consumer behaviours that may be adapted to reduce food waste.determining potential consumer responses to labelling and packaging alternatives in relation to food packaging.providing formative information for partners’ new product development processes.designing packaging solutions to reduce food waste.designing more effective consumer education campaigns to reduce food waste.This Fight Food Waste CRC project is led by Sustainability Victoria in partnership with Woolworths and RMIT University.

Program Manager - Bachelor of Communication (Advertising) and Master of AdvertisingSupervising Higher Degrees by Research (PhD and Masters by research) candidates in the fields of social marketing and advertising.

Supervising Higher Degrees by Research (PhD and Masters by research) candidates in the fields of social marketing and advertising.

Contributing expertise to Asia Injury Prevention Foundation’s road safety programs, particularly with regards to the monitoring and evaluation of social marketing and behaviour change programs.

Project managing a consortium including RMIT University Vietnam, Vietnamese public universities and the two Australian institutions for Research on Improving Systems of Education (RISE) through Oxford Policy Management.

Department of Economics, Finance and MarketingCentre of Commerce and ManagementLecturer in Communication and Marketing

Bachelor of CommunicationCoordinator - Global Urban and Social Studies

Bachelor of Communication

Asia MBA Program - Course: Marketing in South East Asia

A project funded by AusAID in Bac Lieu, Ben Tre, Kien Giang, Long An and Vinh Long in Southern Viet Nam.

Bachelor of Business Program - Courses: The Marketing Concept, Marketing Planning, Consumer BehaviourMember of the School of Business Research Committee 2001-2005