Farming for Climate Justice [Transforming Policy and Practice Towards Agroecological Transitions for Resilient and Just Food and Farming Systems in a Changing Climate] is a collaboration between the Centre for Agroecology, Water & Resilience (CAWR) at Coventry University and the Bio-Economy Research Chair at the University of Cape Town (UCT), which builds a network of early career researchers (ECRs) from the UK and South Africa to build capacity and transform thinking and research practice for just food and farming systems.
Team: Michel Pimbert (CAWR), Rachel Wynberg (UCT), Nina Moeller (CAWR), Vanessa Farr (UCT), Bastien Dieppois (CAWR), Gareth Haysom (UCT). Project co-ordination: George McAllister (CAWR) & Jaci Van Niekerk (UCT) – contact George for any inquiries: coordinator@farming4justice.net
Farming for Justice is funded by the British Council / Researcher Links Climate Challenge (£49,298)
Duration: February 2021 – April 2022
Challenges & Opportunities
Alongside a growing consensus that the dominant food regime is failing against key metrics, including rates of hunger and malnutrition, decent agricultural livelihoods, and its environmental impacts (HLPE 2019; IPCC, 2019), recognition of the need to transition to agroecological (AE) farming systems that are resilient to climate stress has grown in prominence (IAASTAT, 2009; UNCTAD; 2013; Anderson et al, 2018). Agroecology has been shown to result in higher productivity and yield stability when climate stressors are taken into account (FAO, 2020), and to provide multifunctional social, ecological, cultural and economic benefits for farmers and society.
In the run-up to COP26 in Glasgow, this collaboration between the Centre for Agroecology, Water and Resilience (CAWR) at Coventry University, and the Department of Environmental and Geographical Science at the University of Cape Town (UCT) will forge ECR networks between the UK and South Africa to co-generate research focusing on:
- Adaptation & Resilience: to promote social and political transitions towards climate resilient food systems through adaptive farming strategies;
- Nature: to research the application of nature-based farming solutions to protect and restore ecosystem functions on which soils, water, livelihoods and climate depend; and
- Finance: to advocate for a transformation of international agriculture funding and investment priorities, and public procurement in support of more equitable and resilient food and farming systems.
Sustainable Development Goals the project proscribes to, but is not limited to:
The overall objectives of Farming for Justice are to:
- Develop an interdisciplinary network of ECRs in SA and UK to strengthen skills and capabilities for collaborative working and co-production of high-quality research on climate resilient food systems with real-world impacts.
- Discuss, plan, and build up a network for longer-term collaboration between participating institutions and specialists (e.g. project proposals & ECR fellowships; co-author papers; staff exchanges).
- Co-develop and -present high-quality research, through creative multi-media tools and channels, disseminated at high-level fora for evidenced-based policy making.
We anticipate these being achieved by:
- Introducing ECRs to intersecting themes within food systems research through keynotes and break-out discussions
- Providing opportunities for ECR research sharing and networking during ECR presentations on their own research interests
- Team-building for intersectoral and interdisciplinary research and collaborations supported by mentors (through to implementation, M&E and reporting)
- Strengthening research capacities and developing skills – participatory action research conceptualisation and proposal, report and policy brief writing
- Producing one or more briefs that contribute to CAWRs Transforming Food Systems policy and podcast series
- Supporting ongoing collaboration through learning platforms, including an opportunity for shared experiences of the Challenge Prize research journey, and pursuing research funding opportunities.
Core Research Team and Emphasis
As climate change, food systems, seed, soil and water, gender and political ecology specialists we aim to promote critical ECR collaborations between natural and social scientists, drawn from both academia and civil society networks across urban and rural spaces. Our focus emphasises the co-generation of socially inclusive research capable of collectively restoring ecosystem functions and building adaptive capacities for the co-creation of just and climate resilient food & farming systems.
Find out more about the project here:
- Invitation to Farming for Climate Justice
- Farming for Climate Justice: Applicant Eligibility
- Farming for Climate Justice team
Equal opportunities, gender balance and diversity will be considered as fundamental to the selection process. In our experience, diverse teams make better decisions and produce richer experiences.
Funding Farming for Justice: British Council – Researcher Links Climate Challenge (£49,298)
Duration: February 2021 – April 2022