About us
Questionmark is an independent think tank. We contribute towards a healthy, sustainable, fair and animal-friendly food system.
We conduct action-oriented research and provide advice - for policy development or practical business conduct. Our work is mostly unsolicited and sometimes solicited.
We target, connect and partner with industries, governments, civil society, media and scientists across European countries.
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Strategy
Action-oriented research and advice to develop and disseminate solutions for a future proof food system. From farm to fork and from personal health to planetary ecosystems, from human rights to animal welfare. Our research and advice helps decision makers in and around the European food sector understand the urgent challenges the food system faces and develop and disseminate new solutions.
Looking for solutions we follow the ‘system approach’. We consider all of the different elements that make up the food system and influence each other.
With our programmes we
- Create transparency, by uncovering the workings and facts of the food system
- Stimulate a race to the top, by pointing our accelerators and retarders of change
- Leverage power, by focusing on well organised actors in the system, such as retail and advertising
- Transform consumption patterns and production methods throughout Europe
Strategic levers
Our programmes target the power of the retail and advertising sectors. They have the potential to stimulate healthy, sustainable, just and animal friendly production and consumption of food.
Retail
Seventy percent of what people in Europe eat comes from supermarkets. At the same time only a handful of supermarkets per country are situated between food producers and consumers. This makes supermarkets a substantial lever to transform eating patterns and food production methods.
Advertising
Current food advertising practices encourage untenable levels of consumption. The majority of food promotion targets unhealthy and unsustainable food. Responsible advertising can positively influence consumption norms and contribute to healthy and sustainable consumption.
Our core values
Our work is always
- Value-driven
- Pioneering
- Scientific
- Independent
- Constructive
20
European supermarkets in our scope
29
Civil society partners
5
Countries
3000+
Newsletter subscribers
Team operations
Meet the team that makes our work for a future proof food system possible.
Director
Head of research
Communication
Researcher
Head of operations
Researcher
Senior researcher
Lead technology
Software developer
Policy advisor
Data collection
Data collection
Data collection
Data collection
Board
The statutory board appoints the CEO and approves the strategy and budget plan proposed by the CEO.
Owner and founder Public@stake
Director Data and Healthcare relationships at Voeding Leeft
Managing Director at DRK Foundation
Independent consultant, board member Wetlands International
Non-Exec Director and Advisor on Strategy and Transformations
Retired, senior adviser for Governance & Integrity, supervisory board member BRAC International
Scientific Council
Our scientific council advises us on the research methodology and execution to ensure our research adheres to scientific standards.
Wageningen University
Wageningen University
HAS Hogeschool
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Universiteit Amsterdam
Governance and financials
Our independent projects are funded by donations from philanthropic funds and civil society partners. On occasion we deliver data or research services on commission, under the condition that the assignment aligns with our mission.
Accountability for our governance and finances can be found in our annual reports.
We have an integrity policy in order to avoid conflicts of interest and adverse incentives.
Annual reportsSubscribe to our newsletter
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