• University of Leeds

Innovation: the Food Industry

Learn how innovation has changed the food industry, the way we shop and how we manage the global issue of food waste.

38,610 enrolled on this course

  • Duration

    2 weeks

  • Weekly study

    2 hours
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This course considers the ways in which the food industry has evolved over the past 70 years and has created the industry of convenience we have today.

Introduced though a case study from Marks and Spencer, you will see how new innovations have changed the way we shop. You will also consider the issue of food waste; in a world where thousands suffer from malnutrition and starvation you’ll consider the attitudes in your own society to this global problem.

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Skip to 0 minutes and 10 seconds Innovation is what moves us forward, from the wheel to the internet and everything in between. This course focuses on innovation in the food industry. You will see that very few innovative ideas can be thought of as completely new. The vast majority take something that is already working, improve upon it, or apply it in a new way. Through old archived materials and footage from Marks and Spencer, as well as input from business management experts from the University of Leeds, you will understand the significant role M&S has played in the innovation behind the processes that drive our food industry today.

Skip to 0 minutes and 43 seconds Along the way, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to interact with learners from around the world, giving you new perspectives on the topic. Sign up now to Innovation– The Food Industry.

What topics will you cover?

  • Key issues for innovation in the food retail sector
  • Drivers and challenges for innovation specific to the food industry
  • Case study: the ‘cold chain’ process at M&S
  • Looking for solutions to the wicked problem of food waste
  • Innovation and technology within the brewing process

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Explore the different types of innovation and think of examples of each.
  • Identify the three levels of innovation: incremental, radical, and disruptive.
  • Discuss the consumer needs that drive innovation in the food industry.
  • Reflect on a case study showing innovation in the cold chain process for food delivery.
  • Identify drivers in food retail innovation and discuss future directions for innovation in the food industry.
  • Explore how individuals and groups can aid innovation.
  • Identify examples of crowdsourcing activities.
  • Assess what the wicked problem of food waste is.
  • Summarise in less than 250 words an innovative solution for addressing the wicked problem of food waste.
  • Research and identify the drivers and challenges of technical innovations in the brewing process.
  • Assess your knowledge by successfully completing the test which concludes the course.

Who is the course for?

This course is part of the Going to University collection which has been specifically designed for students at schools and colleges. They provide a taster of undergraduate study at the University of Leeds and help students to decide which subject to study at university.

Completion of the courses will also enhance students’ university applications.

The courses can also be used as a teachers’ classroom enrichment resource.

Courses in this collection are also great for people that want an introduction in the specific subjects discussed in each course.

Who will you learn with?

Dan Trowsdale

Hi, I'm a Senior Teaching Fellow at the Univesity of Leeds. My areas of interest are based around the subject of design. Key areas are innovation, creativity and employability.

Who developed the course?

University of Leeds

As one of the UK’s largest research-based universities, the University of Leeds is a member of the prestigious Russell Group and a centre of excellence for teaching.

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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