Innovative strategies for food waste reduction and Circular…

My name is Eirini Kontaki and I am currently a PhD candidate working on the research topic entitled: Innovative strategies for food waste reduction in conjunction with the promotion of Circular Economy: A holistic supply chain approach. My dissertation focuses on the development and evaluation of innovative, applicable, and measurable food waste prevention strategies within a systemic framework that integrates Circular Economy principles across all stages of the supply chain, from primary production to final consumption. The dissertation will be written in Greek; however, the research draws extensively on international literature and aims to contribute to the broader academic discussion on Circular Economy operationalization and food waste prevention. The core objective of the research is to move beyond the theoretical discussion of the Circular Economy and contribute to its operationalization, with particular emphasis on food waste prevention and the clear distinction between prevention strategies and valorization pathways. In addition, the study examines structural gaps, potential trade-offs, and lock-in mechanisms that may hinder the systemic transition toward more circular food systems. The overall approach is holistic and cross-sectoral, aiming to develop an analytical evaluation framework that can be applied within different contexts of the agri-food and tourism value chain. The methodological foundation developed so far includes a systematic literature review, thematic categorization of strategies, supply chain-level analysis, and the initial development of a conceptual and analytical framework. However, the component currently under further development concerns the design of the empirical research phase. More specifically, I am seeking to define the most appropriate research strategy (qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-method approach), the data collection tools, sampling design, and analytical techniques that will allow the refinement and validation of the proposed framework. In this context, I am looking for specialized academic consultancy support, particularly in the methodological structuring and justification of the empirical design, the selection of appropriate research instruments, and the strengthening of coherence between the theoretical and empirical components of the dissertation. I retain full scientific responsibility and authorship of the work and seek a structured advisory collaboration aimed at enhancing the academic rigor and robustness of the research. I would greatly appreciate receiving information regarding your experience in Circular Economy and Sustainability research, the academic background of your consultants, and your proposed collaboration model.