Arabella Parkinson – Pioneering Sustainability in the Food Industry
In the dynamic realm of culinary arts, some individuals transcend the conventional notions of taste and presentation, embracing a profound responsibility towards the environment and society. Among these trailblazers stands Arabella Parkinson, a professional chef and graduate of the 2022 PGDip in Sustainable Development class.
With nine years of experience in the culinary world, Arabella has always seen food as more than just a means of sustenance. Her culinary creations are a medium to connect people, raise awareness about health, and explore the profound impact our relationship with food has on the environment.
Arabella’s decision to enrol in the PGDip programme was fuelled by her desire to drive positive change within the food industry. As a creative professional, she felt a sense of social responsibility to use her culinary skills as a force for good. By delving into sustainability science, she sought to establish a solid knowledge foundation that could inform her approach to food and her involvement in various projects.
“I feel since completing the PGDip, I am in a unique position as I attempt to draw art and science onto the plate and through a transdisciplinary lens.”
Reflecting on her experience, Arabella found the diversity of her fellow learners to be the most rewarding aspect of the PGDip.
“Everyone comes into this programme from different industries, periods in their lives, and diverse cultures and worldviews, creating a learning environment rich in wisdom. I highly respect the integrative learning pedagogy that is prioritised through this programme. The marriage of rich scientific theory and embodied learning creates a unique experience that draws subjects of spirituality, self-inquiry, and emotional intelligence into these highly academic spaces.”
The PGDip, in Arabella’s experience, has been a transformative journey that equipped her with invaluable skills and perspectives. Foremost, it nurtured her critical thinking abilities, empowering her to challenge her existing beliefs while embracing new and diverse viewpoints.
“It gave a broad scope of the wicked problems the sustainability space is attempting to tackle. A strong cross-sector analysis of sustainable development is illuminated through various techniques and models that assist in tackling these local and global issues. It developed my research skills, academic writing, and my ability to work in spaces that require urgency through a long-term lens.”
For students considering the PGDip, Arabella advises having a sense of the industry or field that piques their interest. While exploring various sectors can be empowering, grounding that knowledge in a specific domain can enhance the application of acquired skills. Arabella intends to apply her newfound knowledge to revolutionise the food industry, structuring her processes and approach to address pertinent issues within her niche.
Arabella’s plans for the future reflect her unwavering commitment to sustainability in the food industry. She aspires to create unique and sensory experiences around food, serving as a conduit to promote sustainable practices and encourage people to reimagine their relationship with food. Additionally, she seeks to move into policy and advocacy, championing resilient and sustainable food systems. With her creative approach and a strong foundation in sustainability science, Arabella is confident that she can drive transformative change within her industry.
In the triumphs of graduates like Arabella, we find a powerful testament to the potential of education in crafting a sustainable future. The PGDip in Sustainable Development offered by the CST stands as a guiding light for those who envision a world built on enduring principles of sustainability. If you share the desire to make a positive impact on society and the environment, we invite you to embark on this transformative journey with us. To explore further details about the PGDip programme, visit this link and join a community dedicated to shaping a more just and sustainable world for generations to come.