Food Systems
Food systems play a unique role in sustainability transitions. Given that people need to regularly drink and eat, many economic and societal activities are geared towards feeding people, often generating harmful environmental impacts. The food system is said to contribute one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions, for example. Food sits right at the boundary of where humanity interacts with ecological systems and hence provides a fertile ground for sustainability research.
At Exeter, we have hence set up what we call the Circular Food platform that bundles our research and engagement activities focused on circular and regenerative approaches to food systems.
Recently I contributed to a report, 'Community Growing in Cornwall' which was authored through a collaboration between a joint working group set up by Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Leadership Board with Sustainable Food Cornwall and the university’s Environment and Sustainability Institute. Community food growing schemes in Cornwall are thriving but face significant challenges. They urgently need more land, funding, and skills to grow further. Despite their success, they struggle with barriers such as land shortages, inadequate funding, short-term leases, and lack of infrastructure and equipment
Currently, I am collaborating with Dr Fatma Sabet, a colleague at the University of Exeter, regarding her work on school food strategy development in Cornwall.
Publications
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Circular food systems: a blueprint for regenerative innovations in a regional UK context - Book page - Open access
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Fruits of our labour: Work and organisation in the global food system - Journal page - Open access
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Participation in local food projects is associated with better psychological well-being: evidence from the East of England - Journal page - Open access
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Agroecology accounting: biodiversity and sustainable livelihoods from the margins - Journal page - Open access
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A Transnational Agri-Food System for Whom? The Struggle for Hegemony at Rio+20 - Open access