Research interests
Interdisciplinary approaches to sustainable food security
Food is a basic human need and its production and consumption are embedded in all aspects of our society. Food Security has been defined as a situation that exists when all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. Characteristics of achieving food security include: high agricultural productivity; stability to changes in weather and markets; resilience to stresses and shocks; and equity in supply. Sustainability is a term also broadly set out, as meaning meeting the needs and aspirations of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs. Therefore Sustainable Food Security means reconciliation of the frequently conflicting environmental, social equity and economic demands. Successful research aimed at reaching this goal is unlikely to be confined within single disciplines but will inevitably have to integrate many, in science, engineering, social science and medicine. Whilst enhanced agricultural production with new technology is a pre-requisite it will not on its own be sufficient. The challenge is how to integrate research across disciplines such that farmers, agri-food industries, policy makers and consumers have the evidence upon which to make the best decisions and interventions.