Project co-ordinator, research academic on the trans-disciplinary, direct democracy Real Deal Project, which is part of the EU’s Green Deal Project.

I organised four Real Deal focus group projects on sustainable food systems and agriculture in Dublin, in person an online and subsequently wrote a report on the findings from the groups. I also conducted in-depth research/analyses of seven Real Deal focus groups in Ireland and Austria also discussing farm to fork. I worked www.feasta.org and the Global Climate Forum in Berlin. I delivered my analyses on my findings to the Global Climate Forum in Berlin in December 2023. This will be used as part of a wider pan European study, which will be published in 2025.

About Real Deal:

This trans-disciplinary project brings together researchers of deliberative democracy from a wide range of disciplines, including political science, law, sociology, and psychology. The researchers are collaborating with the EU´s largest civil society networks and NGOs to reach millions of citizens and thousands of policymakers. It co-creates a comprehensive protocol for citizens participation and deliberation towards the objectives of the European Green deal.

The topics addressed by this project throughout its duration will reflect the political agenda and policy priorities of the EU as well as the core concerns of citizens. The following policy and transformation areas are likely to be covered:

• Just transitions and root causes of inequality across the EU

• Sustainable food systems and agriculture

• Energy transitions and climate action

• Sustainable mobility

• Sustainable consumption and production (including the circular economy, chemicals, waste)

Check out www.realdeal.eu for more information.