By consumption, we understand the acquisition, use, and disposal of goods and services.
Food, clothing, and other textiles are integral to the daily lives of all people, both because we all eat and wear clothes, but also because purchasing and other household tasks such as cleaning, maintenance, and preparation take up a significant portion of our time.
This, along with housing, is non-discretionary consumption.
In addition to research on food and clothing, the group also has expertise in housing, leisure consumption, and equipment for sports, outdoor activities, and more.
This research group is one of three groups at Consumption Research Norway (SIFO).
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More about the research
We want to contribute to solving societal problems and ensure that knowledge about products, consumers, and consumption is included in discussions and policies related to food and clothing. This includes:
Sustainability
Sustainability is the most important area of our research. It encompasses discussions about locally sourced, local, organic, consumption with minimal environmental impact, and labeling, environmental comparisons, life cycle analyses, lifespan, durability, waste, disposal, overproduction, animal welfare, plastic and microplastics, and more.
Health and Inclusion
Healthy, good food, and access to quality clothing for everyone in society are important goals. Fitting in, being liked, participating in physical and social activities presupposes that we have clothes and other equipment and can participate in meals and community around food. Textiles and food are part of the prevention and treatment of illnesses.
Culture and Tradition
Clothes and food are important in various rituals and celebrations. Our long and rich cultural history is a resource for inspiration and renewal that can be utilized. Consumption is part of complex, often unwritten rules where age, gender, cultural background, and taste come into play.
Market
The consumer's position in the market includes issues such as consumer rights, greenwashing, and other misleading marketing, pricing, and labeling. The development of alternative distribution methods and local solutions, often outside the conventional market, is also part of our research. We are concerned about the consumers’ position in textile and food markets.
Production and Product Development
Collaboration in the value chains and the development of products where use and the user are taken more seriously.
Politics
We work on the development of policies where knowledge about consumption is taken seriously and ensures consumer rights. The work includes the development of political tools, objectives, and indicators to achieve the desired effect.
