Gabi Appel
Researcher
email:gabi.appel3@gamil.com
Gabi Appel is a researcher and Ph.D. candidate at the University of Haifa’s School of Environmental Sciences, specializing in food waste reduction in the hospitality sector. Her doctoral research focuses on identifying drivers of food waste in Israeli hotels and developing targeted interventions, integrating behavioral insights, and advanced technologies. With a strong academic foundation that includes an MA in Public Policy from the Hebrew University and a BA in Political Science, Sociology, and Anthropology, Appel brings a multidisciplinary perspective to sustainability challenges.
Her career spans senior roles in government, academia, and the non-profit sector, with expertise in strategic planning, sustainability, policy, and social innovation. She has served as Strategy Program Director at the Council for Higher Education, where she coordinated national initiatives in sustainability research and entrepreneurship, and as Director of Policy Planning at the Population and Immigration Authority. Her work has included developing green campus programs, leading inter-ministerial collaborations, and producing high-impact policy reports.
Appel’s research and policy contributions have been recognized through competitive scholarships, including the Arnon Sofer Scholarship and a KKL grant. She has presented at leading international and national conferences, such as the MAIQS Conference at Brunel University and the Israel Society of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, and has published in top-tier journals, including the International Journal of Hospitality Management. Her work bridges academic research and applied policy, advancing sustainable practices in food systems.