UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT AND STATE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE

Their core work

The University of Vermont (UVM) is a US-based public research university that contributes to European research primarily through its expertise in agroecology, food systems, and social sciences. In H2020, UVM has served as a third-party partner bringing North American perspectives on gender studies, political ecology, and sustainable food system transitions. Their work bridges social science research with practical community-level action research, particularly around territorial food systems and agroecological practices.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

UVM's H2020 trajectory shows a clear shift from biomedical research toward social-ecological sciences. Their earliest project (SVDs-at-target, 2016) was a health-focused study on vascular disease mechanisms — their only project that received direct EC funding. From 2018 onward, both WEGO and ATTER reflect a pivot toward interdisciplinary social science, with strong emphasis on gender, political ecology, food systems, and agroecological transitions.

UVM is moving decisively toward participatory food systems research and agroecological transitions, making them a relevant partner for future projects on sustainable agriculture and territorial food governance.

How they like to work

UVM has never coordinated an H2020 project and participates exclusively as a partner or third party, suggesting they serve as a specialized external contributor rather than a consortium driver. With 52 unique partners across 17 countries from just 3 projects, they join large, geographically diverse consortia. As a US-based institution, their role is typically to bring a transatlantic comparative perspective to European-led research.

Despite only 3 projects, UVM has collaborated with 52 partners across 17 countries, reflecting participation in large multi-partner consortia. Their network spans well beyond Europe, consistent with their position as a non-EU institution contributing international expertise.

What sets them apart

UVM offers something rare in H2020 consortia: a well-established US land-grant university perspective on agriculture, food systems, and community development. Their combination of social science rigor (gender studies, political ecology) with applied agroecological research is distinctive. For consortium builders needing a credible North American partner with expertise in participatory food system transitions, UVM fills a specific niche.

Highlights from their portfolio

• ATTER
  Their most recent project (2021-2025) on agroecological transitions represents their clearest current research direction and aligns with growing EU interest in sustainable food systems.
• SVDs-at-target
  Their only directly funded H2020 project (EUR 580K), and notably in a completely different domain (health/vascular disease) from their other work.