PhD Project

My PhD focuses on the role of civil society food networks in food system governance processes, both in domestic policymaking and at global levels (particularly via the case study of the recent UN Food Systems Summit). It explores how competing normative ‘visions’ for the future food system are articulated, contested, and managed in governance settings, and particularly the roles and experiences of Australian civic food networks in these processes. In so doing, it also aims to identify opportunities for more democratic and participatory governance models that could contribute to building fairer and more sustainable food systems.

The PhD project is part of Dr Kiah Smith’s ‘Fair Food Futures’ DECRA, which aims to advance theoretical and policy-relevant knowledge about how community food networks contribute to sustainable and just food systems, and the governance challenges they face.

Qualifications

  • Master of Arts (Program in the Social Sciences) in Anthropology, University of Chicago, 2014 – 2015
  • Honours Class I in Anthropology, University of Queensland, 2013
  • Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Social Science, University of Queensland, 2009 – 2012  

Professional Experience

  • Research Analyst, CSIRO, 2016 – 2019
  • Research Assistant, University of Chicago Consortium on School Research, 2014 – 2015
  • Research Assistant (casual), academic anthropology projects, 2014 – 2016

Research interests

  • Food justice and food sovereignty
  • Food systems and food regimes
  • UN development processes  
  • Governance