The expertise of Prof. Dr. Turan Yüksek in the field of vermicompost and organic waste management provides an excellent foundation for establishing strong and multidisciplinary collaborations with European researchers. In particular, the conversion of urban and industrial organic wastes (such as market and food residues, tea–coffee grounds, mushroom compost, and animal manures) into high-value vermicompost using Eisenia fetida, and the comparative assessment of its effects on soil health, plant nutrition, carbon sequestration, and stress tolerance across different climatic regions, represents a promising avenue for cooperation.

Potential Work Package / Task Leader – Accelerating Food Sustainability
Prof. Dr. Turan Yüksek is an experienced researcher with strong expertise in circular food systems, organic waste valorisation, soil–plant–food interactions, and nature-based solutions, providing a solid scientific and applied foundation for leading work packages within the Accelerating Food Sustainability framework.

WP / Task Leadership on Diverse, Sustainable and Circular Food Processing Systems

A major strength of Prof. Yüksek’s profile lies in valorisation of food processing by-products and side-streams using earthworm-based (Eisenia fetida) systems. His work supports:
Circular processing models converting food and agricultural residues into biofertilisers and biostimulants,
Sustainable inputs for crop production tailored to different plant and consumer needs,
Integration of organic waste management into food processing and packaging sustainability strategies.

He is particularly suited to lead WPs or tasks on circular bioeconomy solutions, side-stream utilisation, and sustainable food processing chains.

WP / Task Leadership on Trust, Transparency and Quality Signals

Prof. Yüksek’s research is grounded in measurable quality parameters (nutrient composition, trace elements, biological effectiveness) and evidence-based assessment of natural inputs. His expertise supports:
Development of indicators and metrics for soil health, food system sustainability, and input quality,
Contribution to transparent, science-based frameworks that strengthen trust across the food value chain,
Support for labelling, traceability and quality signalling linked to sustainable production practices.
This enables him to lead or co-lead tasks on indicator development, monitoring frameworks, and co-creation with system actors (farmers, processors, policymakers).

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