ABSTRACT
The intricate web of contemporary food systems is undergoing profound changes, driven by a convergence of complex factors that require urgent attention from the perspectives of scientific and technical disciplines, design and social sciences (Pereira et al 2020, Sonnino & Milbourne, 2022). At the intersection of ecological crises, socio-economic inequalities and technological advances, traditional paradigms governing the production, distribution and consumption of food are increasingly being challenged (van Berkum, & Ruben 2021). This article is an introduction that presents the themes raised by the papers in the proceedings and explores the complexity of these changes, highlighting the critical issues that define the collapsing state of food systems and the imperative for transformative action.
