“Hungry for Solutions!” Exploring Advocacy and Co-Designing Strategies to Improve Food Security in Higher Education Settings

<p dir="ltr">Food insecurity, defined as limited access to sufficient, affordable, and nutritious food, is an important social justice and public health issue. Food insecurity in higher education students can have profound implications on health, wellbeing, and academic performance. There have been efforts growing to address this issue in higher education settings, both in Australia and internationally, particularly following the coronavirus pandemic. However, despite increasing evidence of its prevalence and potential impacts on students, some higher education institutions are yet to implement policies and practical solutions to this issue. This thesis aims to address this knowledge gap, through a collection of chapters that qualitatively explore different solutions to student food insecurity. It comprises of four individual studies: (1) a scoping review of co-design strategies; (2) an analysis of university sustainability reports; (3) a case study at Macquarie University investigating staff and food insecure students’ perceptions; and (4) a collection of short case studies of current food security initiatives from four Australian universities. The scoping review synthesised findings from 28 studies that had evidence of student participation in the development of food security solutions. Co-design and participatory research frameworks demonstrated higher student participation, increased awareness of food insecurity, student leadership, and the development of campaigns and collaborative organisational structures. Through content analysis, seven key categories emerged from the studies including policy and institutional support; strategic partnerships; advocacy and awareness; initiatives for student engagement; student skills and knowledge development; program development; and the campus food environment. A report review was conducted to analyse the progress by New South Wales universities in addressing the Zero Hunger Sustainable Development Goal 2, specifically for student hunger and food insecurity. Overall, the analysis showed that 80% of the universities referenced student hunger or food insecurity at least once in their reports, with food relief initiatives being the most common approach. The Macquarie University case study involved interviews with staff (n=5) to explore existing initiatives and the challenges for supporting food security on campus. Reflexive thematic analysis of in-depth interviews with food insecure students (n=19) provided insights into perceptions of current initiatives, available support, the campus food environment, and their suggestions for improvement. The findings highlighted areas of both strength and opportunities for stakeholders to consider for future planning and policy development at the university. Finally, a collective case study was carried out to examine local initiatives related to food security at four Australian universities. These included a strategic plan for a healthy and equitable food environment, a healthy food policy, a community campus garden, and two food hub initiatives. A descriptive case study analysis revealed various drivers, enablers, and challenges associated with implementing each initiative. Together, the findings from these studies offer a multifaceted exploration into different solutions including existing initiatives and students' suggestions for future improvements. This research offers valuable insights to guide higher education institutions in developing future policies and programs that can address food insecurity among students.</p>