Aimed at supporting insecure Melbournians, this innovative initiative will also contribute to revitalising and supporting inner urban communities in equitable and sustainable ways post the pandemic.
To be located in Smith Street, Collingwood, and opening in late 2022, Cafe Lab will become a multidisciplinary hub for experiments in low carbon and sustainable business innovation, healthy equitable urban futures, innovative work and training, and inclusive digital and blockchain systems.
Educating RMIT staff, students and the general public about the wicked problem of food waste through its innovative Cafe Lab, chef-scientists will learn food waste prevention skills not taught in culinary school.
Led by Professors Tania Lewis and Martyn Hook, Cafe Lab is a cross university, STEM and Humanities and Social Sciences project involving a diverse range of stakeholders. RMIT’s Early Career Research network is core to the project, encouraging engagement from emerging researchers across different disciplines.
Partners and supporters include Terry Wu (arts and social entrepreneur), OzHarvest (Australia’s top food rescue organisation), Foodbank Australia, Melbourne Farmers Market and the Fight Food Waste Cooperative Research Centre.
This project is led by the Schools of Media and Communication, and School of Architecture and Urban Design.
