Sustainable Food, Land & Water Systems
Theme Leaders
Introduction
Sustaining food, land and water systems in a changing climate is one of the defining global challenges of the 21st century. Population growth, limited land and water resources, biodiversity loss, and increasing pressure on ecosystems are reshaping how food is produced and accessed. Our research addresses the environmental, social and economic dimensions of these transitions, generating evidence and tools that support resilient livelihoods, protect ecosystems, and inform policy at local, national and global scales.
Our Research Areas
- Land Use Change & Soil Carbon
We examine how land-use decisions shape food security, biodiversity and climate outcomes. Our work explores land-sparing and land-sharing strategies, soil carbon dynamics, biogeochemical processes and the mitigation potential of agriculture, forestry and land-use change. We focus on climate resilience, tenure security, rural–urban transitions and human–wildlife interactions in agricultural landscapes.
- Integrated Water Management
This work focuses on the water–energy–food nexus, assessing how changing water availability affects agriculture, ecosystems and livelihoods. We study droughts, floods, water competition, contamination, desalination, precision agriculture and the role of green infrastructure in improving water quality and reducing risk.
- Agroecology & Ecosystem Services
Our agroecology research integrates ecological principles into farming systems, examining biodiversity, soil health, Indigenous and local crop varieties, agroforestry and restoration practices. We analyse trade-offs and synergies between production, regulation, cultural values and ecosystem resilience.
- Health, Nutrition & Diet
Using a One Health approach, we investigate how food systems influence human wellbeing and planetary health. This includes dietary transitions, sustainable protein alternatives, antimicrobial resistance, environmental health risks and the balance between nutritional quality, water use and local food security.
- Innovation, Development & Decision-Making Tools
We use systems thinking to explore behaviour change, governance, technology adoption, climate adaptation and just transitions. Our researchers develop and apply tools such as life cycle assessment, scenario modelling, AI-based image analysis, integrated pest management and policy evaluation to guide sustainable decision-making.
Where We Work
Our research spans key climate and biodiversity hotspots across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas. We work from farm and community scales to national transitions and global supply chains, partnering with universities, governments, NGOs, international organisations and local communities.
Centres, Networks & Partnerships
This research connects with initiatives including:
Working with local communities across diverse food, land and water systems
Working with local communities across diverse food, land and water systems
Working with local communities across diverse food, land and water systems
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