University of Hertfordshire

Wendy Wills is Professor of Food and Public Health and Director of the Centre for Research in Public Health and Community Care (CRIPACC), School of Health and Social Work. CRIPACC is world renowned for its inter- and multi-disciplinary research on older people's health and complex conditions; health, young people and family lives; public health and communities; and patient experience and public involvement in research http://www.herts.ac.uk/research/centres-and-groups/cripacc

In terms of my own research I work at the interface of social science and public health particularly in relation to food and eating practices, food safety, malnutrition and weight/obesity and health/inequalities. I have directed several major research grants, including for the ESRC and Food Standards Agency. I was formerly a member of the FSA's Social Science Research Committee and convenor of the British Sociological Association's Food Study Group. 

I am an Associate Dean Research in the School of Health and Social Work, a role shared with Professor Julia Williams.

See below for links to websites, films and an educational board game relating to my research and public engagement activities:

https://youtu.be/aCFN0xEMcjg - launched during the UK's first Malnutrition Awareness week in 2018 this film shows the importance of social interactions when food shopping

http://www.foodinlaterlifegame.co.uk/- this board game was developed with a UH proof of concept grant in collaboration with Focus Games; it is aimed at training people/groups who support older people to remain nourished and well.  

https://www.herts.ac.uk/research/informing-public-policy/food-and-public-health - public policy briefings

http://www.foodprovisioninlaterlife.com - website and monthly blog relating to the food in later life project, funded by the ESRC and Food Standards Agency under the Global Food Security programme.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHqYzixQZrA&feature=youtu.be - this short film, funded by a UH research grant, brings to life our research on food and drink purchasing 'beyond the school gate'.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XrQySTRuIE - see some of our public engagement activities from the Food and Public Health research team.

Below are images from events that the Food and Public Health Research team have been involved in.