The concept of alimentation and transdisciplinary research

Abstract

Although the term ‘alimentation’ has existed in the English language since the late 16th century, its use is infrequent. In Latin languages, particularly French, ‘alimentation’ conveys a holistic notion of the process by which humans produce, procure, prepare, share, indulge in, and digest their foods. Thus, the concept of alimentation encompasses and integrates human, technological, sociocultural, and environmental domains. This article delves into the origins of the term ‘alimentation’ and its use in the foreign scientific literature, and particularly in the social sciences. Unlike ‘food and nutrition’, alimentation provides a broader frame for the grand challenges of what, how, and with whom we eat. This approach should lead to transdisciplinary research (TDR) interfacing several knowledge domains (e.g., environmental, technological, socio?cultural, nutritional, etc.) and involving key stakeholders. Possible outcomes of TDR in alimentation are inspiring and meaningful collaborations, innovative methodologies for integrating knowledge, transformative learning of researchers, enriched educational experiences for students, focused community action, and improved public policy. The term ‘alimentation’ is appropriately used in French and other Latin languages. Alimentation embraces human, technological, sociocultural, and environmental issues This holistic concept views agriculture, food, and nutrition as parts of a broader process Transdisciplinary research interfaces several dimensions of food and eating. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry