We are waking up to the reality that our food systems are profoundly unhealthy, inequitable and environmentally unsustainable. Deep structural changes will be needed to achieve the SDGs and tackle longer-term development challenges.

The seminar will explore the role of foresight and scenario analysis in transformation processes.  The role of small-scale agriculture in food systems will be used as an example of how wider system trade-offs and synergies must be considered.

In the seminar insights and lessons will be drawn from the Foresight4Food Initiative, DFAT/ACIAR supported SDIP programme and an Open Society Funded project on small-scale agriculture.

A core focus will be on the challenges of strengthening the science-policy interface in tackling complex social dilemmas (wicked problems).

About the Speaker

Dr Jim Woodhill is Lead of the Global Foresight4Food Initiative, Director of the UK DFIDs’ Knowledge for Development Programme and a consultant to DFAT.  He has over 30 years of international development experience in the areas of food and agriculture, natural resource management, market development and multi-stakeholder partnerships.  Jim is currently based in Oxford, the UK, and holds Honorary Associate roles with Oxford University, Environmental Change Institute, and the Institute of Development Studies (IDS).

Formerly Jim was the Principal Sector Specialist for Food Security and Rural Development with Australian DFAT. Prior to this he Directed the Centre for Development Innovation at Wageningen University and Research Centre in the Netherlands. He has also worked extensively on Landcare and catchment management in Australia. He holds a PhD in political economics from ANU.