Who are we?

The Food Observatory – ODELA is a well-established research group, associated with
the University of Barcelona’s Department of Social Anthropology, that is interested in
management of knowledge related to food and health.

The Observatory is made up of a team of qualified researchers from various fields
(anthropology, communication, economics, statistics, history, linguistics, nutrition and
sociology), most of whom are associated with Catalan universities and social entities
based in Barcelona. The team has extensive experience in the study of food practices
and attitudes at all stages of the agri-food chain (production, distribution and
consumption) and is at the service of economic and social actors.

Since it was established, the Observatory has carried out and disseminated studies on
ways of life, opinions, perceptions, aspirations, attitudes and consumption practices.
Research is conducted using the most advanced methods (qualitative, quantitative,
traditional and virtual ethnography).

More information: Memoria ODELA 2015 – 2019 / Memoria ODELA 2020 / Memoria ODELA 2021

Statutes and governing body

Economic Balance 2019

Overall aim

ODELA’s overall aim is to observe, describe, explain and interpret the variability and
evolution of eating habits and behaviours in order to achieve a greater and better
understanding of these phenomena. We take a critical approach that encompasses
analysis of aspects related to health, the impact on food-producing societies, and the
consequences that current food consumption habits have for ecosystems.

Specific objectives

  • To generate useful data and information for the academic community, social
    entities and government agencies.
  • To provide scientific and technical advice to not-for-profit organizations, food
    professionals, the media and public institutions interested in promoting policies
    related to food and nutrition. 
  • To critically identify phenomena that generate undesirable effects for societies and
    ecosystems along the agri-food chain, and to analyse, disseminate and speak out
    against their causes.
  • To help public educational and healthcare institutions and social organizations
    respond more effectively to consumer needs.
  • To provide expert advice to citizens and consumer organizations, acting as
    advocates for a more satisfactory and healthier diet. We share our expertise with
    final consumers and with producers and actors throughout the agri-food chain.

Commitment

ODELA works with government agencies, foundations, social entities, cooperatives,
professional federations, territorial groups, consumer organizations and the media. For
these groups and organizations, ODELA’s expertise in techniques for obtaining,
processing, contextualizing and analysing information make it a guarantee of
professionalism and experience.

Quality in scientific research

Team

Social Anthropology Section

ARCINIEGAS, LAURA
INDEPENDENT RESEARCHER

FERREIRA, MANUELA
PHD STUDENT IN FOOD AND NUTRITION (UB)

Messa, Patrícia
PHD STUDENT AND APIF GRANT HOLDER (SGR)

Ruiz Pascua, Marta
RESEARCH TECHNICIAN, ODELA

Contreras Hernández, Jesús
PROFESSOR EMERITUS, DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL ANTHROPOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF BARCELONA (sgr)

Gascón Gutiérrez, Jordi
Assistant Professor, DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL ANTHROPOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF BARCELONA (SGR)

Mulet Pascual, Margalida
ADJUNCT PROFESSOR, DEPARTMENT OF ANTHROPOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF LLEIDA

verthein, úrsula
postdoctoral, school of Nutrition - UFBA (Brazil)

Fàbregas, Montserrat
PHD STUDENT, UNIVERSITY OF BARCELONA

Larrea Killinger, Cristina
PROFESSOR, DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL ANTHROPOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF BARCELONA. CHAIR OF ODELA (SGR)

Muñoz García, Araceli
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WORK, UNIVERSITY OF BARCELONA (SGR)

franzil, ANNA
phd student in society and culture

magaña gonzález, claudia rocío
adjunct professor OF DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WORK, UNIVERSITY OF BARCELONA

Prata Gaspar, Maria Clara
ADJUNCT PROFESSOR, DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL ANTHROPOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF BARCELONA

HISTORY SECTION

Alcover, Pau
PHD in medieval history, UNIVERSITY OF BARCELONA

Riera i Melis, Antoni
PROFESSOR EMERITUS, MEDIEVAL HISTORY, UNIVERSITY OF BARCELONA (sgr)

Alicia Foundation

Massanès, Toni
ALICIA FOUNDATION

Joan Ribas

ribas serra, joan
ALICIA FOUNDATION (SGR)

Elena Roura

Roura i Carvajal, Elena.
ALICIA FOUNDATION (SGR)

EXTERNAL CONTRIBUTORS

Aguilera, Isabel
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL ANTHROPOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF TARAPACÁ, ARICA, CHILE

fontalba navas, andrés
Medical Assistant Director. North Sanitary Malaga AREA. SAS at the Junta de Andalucía, and adjunct professor of University of Almería

Milano, Claudio
Adjunct professor of Autonomous University of Barcelona

PICANÇO, MIGUEL
Laboratório de Políticas Culturais e Ambientais do Brasil - lAPCAB/UNISINOS

Amparo, Lígia
UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DE BAHIA, BRASIL

Freitas, Carminha
UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DE BAHIA, BRASIL

ojeda-mata, maite
phd assistant PROFESSOR of university of valencia

Bertran, Miriam
PROFESSOR AND RESEARCHER, METROPOLITAN AUTONOMOUS UNIVERSITY XOCHIMILCO, MEXICO

Juzwiak, Claudia
UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DE SAO PAULO, BRASIL

Olivera, Denise
FIOCRUZ, BRASÍLIA, BRASIL

company morales, miguel
Nurse in the Andalusian Health Service and adjunct professor of University of Almería

Laborde, Gustavo
PHD IN SOCIAL ANTHROPOLOGY

pérez alonso, yaiza
adjunct professor of university of valencia