Collaboration experiences from NewTools, a cross-sector research partnership

Background
Cross-sector partnerships are increasingly used to address food systems challenges but are also criticized due to potential conflicts of interest and tensions among stakeholders. There is, however, limited research on participants’ experiences from nutrition-related cross-sector partnerships. The Norwegian NewTools project—a four-year research partnership involving 28 partner organizations from research, government, civil society, and the food industry—provides a relevant case to examine collaboration dynamics in a policy-proximate research setting. The objective of NewTools was to develop food profiling models for nutritional quality and for environmental and social sustainability. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of participants from different societal sectors who participated as project partners in the NewTools project.

Methods
We conducted 18 semi-structured qualitative interviews with representatives from 17 partner organizations toward the end of the project period. Interviews were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Results
Participants across sectors perceived the project’s opportunities for informal engagement as beneficial, extending beyond participation in the research itself. Whereas the project’s composition was considered diverse and broad, some concerns were raised regarding uneven levels of participation among different partners. In addition, participants described three conflict areas: (i) disagreements concerning the food profiling models, (ii) unclear overarching project purpose and (iii) insufficient power sharing. Although findings reflected experiences from all partner groups in the project, food industry partners described more challenging experiences than others.

Conclusion
This study provides empirical insights into collaboration processes within nutrition‑related research partnerships, an area with limited existing evidence. Participants from multiple sectors experienced both positive and challenging aspects of participation. Our findings highlight how divergent interests, power imbalances, and unclear boundaries between research and policy can become challenges for collaboration in policy‑relevant research settings. To strengthen future cross‑sector research partnerships aimed at promoting healthier and more sustainable food systems, partnerships should invest time and resources in establishing shared understandings of mandates, goals, and collaboration models. Additionally, empowering under‑resourced partners may help ensure more equitable participation across partners with varying perspectives and capacities.