There are fewer bigger global challenges than feeding the growing human population well, while protecting the natural systems on which we depend. With the world population expected to reach 11 billion by the end of this century and demands on systems already at an all-time high, it is essential that we find new ways to feed the growing population without destroying the planet. Improving the effectiveness and sustainability of agri-food systems is vital to tackling the challenges of global population growth, rapid urbanisation, food and environmental security, and diet and health. These challenges affect affluent and low and middle income countries. Addressing them is key to moving hundreds of millions of people out of poverty, and is central to many of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. At the University of Edinburgh, we already make a significant contribution to tackling these issues at national and global levels. Following the UK government's Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014 Edinburgh was ranked first by research power (Research Fortnight REF 2014) in Agriculture, Veterinary and Food Science.