Activating Social Empathy Through Food #fote2023
Dr Michelle Darmody has extensive experience in food consultancy and is also
a regular commentator on food, culture, and travel for Irish print media,
television, and radio, writing a weekly column for The Irish Examiner. She is an
entrepreneur who established an award-winning bakery and cafe, as well as
co-founded Our Table, a social enterprise supporting people living in direct
provision. Over the course of Michelle’s PhD research the term ‘circular food
education’ was coined to describe her approach to children’s food education,
which encompasses critical thinking, experiential learning, sustainability, and
pleasure. Recent food education projects include developing a Food and
Biodiversity programme for Green-Schools, creating Eat the Streets Festival for
Dublin City Council, and Activating Empathy Through Food with UNESCO Child
and Family Research Centre University of Galway. She won the Food Writers Award in 2021 for her contribution to writing on Irish food and sustainability.
Photo Credit: Fergal Phillips