Our Research
OUR STORY
Approach
We apply multidisciplinary, participatory, systems-oriented approaches to address emerging challenges in agriculture and the food system. CFAS’ model of inquiry welcomes research that is basic or applied; occurs in the field or lab; and may be short- or long-term. We convene collaborative research teams that integrate the natural, social sciences, and humanities, into research characterized by rigorous experimental design, hypothesis testing, analysis and synthesis. Results are strategically communicated through both peer-reviewed publications and outreach to farmers, consultants and other practitioners. This approach closely links our research activities, research outcomes and outreach activities.
With an emphasis on integration, CFAS possesses the capacity to address complex environmental, economic and social challenges through long-term research that transcends typical grant cycles.
OUR STORY
Research Program
Our main objective is to advance the research on the manifold interactions between agriculture, food consumption, nutrition, health, the environment, flows of information, and societal attitudes with a particular focus on policy options for increasing sustainability. This involves the development and use of new systems-oriented methods and indicators, empirical research with primary and secondary data, the identification of tradeoffs between different sustainability dimensions, and the synthesis of policy implications. Overarching research questions include:
How do MENA’s food systems develop and what are implications for human and planetary health?
What types of synergies and tradeoffs between multiple sustainability outcomes of MENA’s food systems exist?
What would be useful behavioral and policy changes to strengthen positive and reduce negative food systems trends, and how can these changes be inspired?
How are different stakeholder and broader societal views on sustainable food systems shaped, and how can evidence-based science communication be improved?
OUR STORY
Research areas & projects
SAAFS is structured in three research areas, each including several subprojects (SPs). While research in SAAFS primarily builds on economics and social science methods, each SP also has one or more natural science counterparts to strengthen interdisciplinary approaches and perspectives. Interaction between the different SPs is fostered through method-oriented and topics-oriented working groups.
RESEARCH AREA A: Food Systems – Environment Interactions
RESEARCH AREA B: Food Systems – Nutrition/Health Interactions
RESEARCH AREA C: Food Systems – Society Interactions
OUR STORY
Output
SAAFS research output intend to contribute to the discussion of ideas and policy options for enhancing food and agricultural systems in the MENA region. It produces the following:
Academic journal papers
Working Papers Series
Distinguished Lecture Series
Get in touch
Address
Villa no. 10, Block 28037, 3rd District, Obour City