Sophie Nicklaus

Sophie Nicklaus is a Research Director at the Center for Taste and Food Sciences (CSGA), a joint research unit of INRAE Bourgogne-Franche-Comté and the University of Burgundy. She leads research on eating behavior with special focus on children's food preferences and psychological aspects of eating. As Scientific Director of the 'Dijon, Sustainable Food 2030' initiative, she works at the intersection of nutrition, environmental sustainability, and food policy.

Her research interests include:

• Development of eating behavior in children
• Psychological mechanisms of food learning
• Early food diversification and long-term impacts
• Sustainable food systems and reduced meat consumption
• Food sovereignty at territorial level
• Implementation of vegetarian meal options in educational settings

Nicklaus's work demonstrates that food preferences established by age 2 remain remarkably stable into adulthood. Her team's research shows vegetarian dishes can receive equal or better satisfaction scores from children compared to meat dishes. She developed a 2021 evidence-based guide for parents incorporating behavioral aspects alongside nutritional recommendations, emphasizing responsive feeding practices that respect children's hunger cues.

Her scientific contributions have been recognized with prestigious awards:

• 2022 INRAE Scientific Challenge Laurel
• 2022 Knight of the Legion of Honor
• 2018 Danone International Prize on Food

Nicklaus leads transformative projects including the 'Chouette cantine' program promoting vegetarian meals in schools and research on student food choices in university settings. Her work bridges scientific research with practical applications to create more sustainable and health-promoting food environments from early childhood through adulthood.