Webinar description


Crops delivering protein to the UK population have not changed significantly over the last 50 years. Wheat continues to be a dominant source of plant-based proteins in our diets. Changing dietary patterns to more plant-based diets and environmental pressures both on meat and intensive agriculture are driving opportunities to diversify protein crops in the UK. However, market adoption and integration into new products are major barriers to these changes.

Join us for our next Science of Alt Protein seminar where Dr. John Hammond, Professor at the University of Reading, will share the current challenges facing protein crops in the UK and a project his team is embarking upon to address this hurdle. Opportunities to address these challenges through changes in cropping systems and the integration of bean flour into bakery products to replace imported soy flour will be discussed.

Image of people talking inside and outside a computer

Join us after this event

After the seminar, we encourage you to join our optional networking event for alternative protein enthusiasts! You can talk about your research, your company, any challenges you’re facing in your work, or your reflections on the webinar. The networking session starts at 10:15am EDT and requires a separate registration. We hope to see you there!

Meet the speaker

Sci22039 webinar graphics science of alt protein august callout

Dr. John Hammond

PROFESSOR, UNIVERSITY OF READING

John Hammond is a Professor of Crop Science in the School of Agriculture, Policy and Development and leads the University of Reading’s research into Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems. He has published over 80 academic papers during his career and regularly contributes to discussions on the sustainability of our food production systems. Professor Hammond’s research has spanned a range of crops and has focused on the sustainability of their production. Fertilizer inputs to crops and adaptations to heat and drought stress are focal points of his research.

Professor Hammond graduated from the University of York with a 1st Class BSc in Applied and Environmental Biology (2000). He then continued his studies and completed a Ph.D. in Plant and Crop Science (2004) at the University of Nottingham. Undertaking a post-doc at the University of Warwick and then taking on a Group Leadership position there, he led research into nutrient management of horticultural crops until 2010. In 2011, he was awarded an Australian Research Council Future Fellowship at the University of Western Australia. He then returned to the UK in 2013 to take his current position at the University of Reading.

Upcoming events

View all events
An illustration of the globe with two hands reaching towards one another.  third party event featured image.
Omni Tempe Hotel at ASU

Society of Environmental Journalists Annual Conference 2025

Join GFI at this Southwest-based conference that explores the increasingly important role of environmental journalists! We will be exhibiting at the event to educate attendees about the power and potential…

Gfi knowledge partner icon
James H. Clark Center Auditorium

Re-Thinking Food: From Plate to Planet

Join GFI’s Bianca Datta in attending Re-Thinking Food: From Plate to Planet! This experience will bring together leading researchers, policymakers, and industry experts to explore the latest science and innovations…

An illustration of the globe with two hands reaching towards one another.  third party event featured image.
Oregon Convention Center

2025 AOCS Meeting (American Oil Chemists’ Society)

Join GFI experts at the AOCS Meeting to explore research on land use efficiency and the environmental impact of plant-based meats.

Plates of various prepared alternative protein dishes
Virtual Event

Protein diversification: A strategic lever for sustainable impact

What does meaningful protein diversification look like in practice? Join GFI for a webinar covering insights from the World Benchmarking Alliance on their latest benchmarking results, Nestlé on their corporate…

An illustration of the world with trees and windmills in the background

Midwest Climate Summit

Don’t miss Sheila Voss, GFI’s senior vice president of communications, at the 2025 Midwest Climate Summit as she co-leads a dynamic workshop exploring how alternative proteins can help address the…

An illustration of the globe with two hands reaching towards one another.  third party event featured image.
Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel

Future Food-Tech Chicago – Sustainable Proteins & Ingredients

Join GFI’s Amanda Hildebrand at Future Food-Tech Chicago as she moderates a panel on Scaling Biomanufacturing: Optimizing Facilities and Bioprocess Design, diving deep into the infrastructure, cost, and regulatory considerations…

An illustration depicting people in science, industry, and academic settings
Virtual Event

Building Your Alt Protein Career

Discover academic and industry career paths in the alternative protein sector, and get inspired by real-world experiences and actionable advice from our guest speaker.

An illustration depicting people in science, industry, and academic settings
Virtual Event

Building Your Alt Protein Career

Discover academic and industry career paths in the alternative protein sector, and get inspired by real-world experiences and actionable advice from our guest speaker.