A researcher in a lab coat stands in a green house with potted plants.

Food, soil, water & agriculture

Food and water security are two of the biggest global challenges of our time. Our research focuses on providing reliable scientific, sociological and institutional knowledge to inform sustainable food and water policies and improve the management, use and conservation of natural resources.

About

Food and water security are two of the biggest global challenges of our time. Our research focuses on providing reliable scientific, sociological and institutional knowledge to inform sustainable food and water policies and improve the management, use and conservation of natural resources.

Groups

Two farmers setup irrigation hoses in a crop of plants in Africa.

This project aims to demonstrate that circular food systems can decouple growth in social and economic benefits from consumption of natural resources (particularly water and land) and production of greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture, as well as reducing urbanisation by creating local opportunities for women and youth.

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A researcher kayaks down a river in a yellow inflatable raft.

It's crucial that we as a society communicate the huge importance of this system, celebrate its majestic wonder - and continue efforts to preserve and encourage river stewardship for future generations.

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A group of researchers sit among large rocks and ferns outside a building.

We are a research group at the Fenner School of Environment & Society, led by Dr Steven Lade. We research human and planetary systems using concepts such as resilience, social-ecological systems and Earth systems with applications in water resource management, sustainable finance and more.

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A student takes notes at the edge of a dam with eucalyptus trees and kangaroos in the distance.

Sustainable Farms draws upon research programs across the Australian National University, focussing on three key research topics: Healthy Farms, Healthy Farmers, and Healthy Profits.

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Three people testing soil in an agricultural field in Africa.

The project aims to find means of meeting the African government’s plans for greater food security while using limited water resources more sustainably.

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Projects

This research looks at options for more effective conservation of freshwater ecosystems for the benefit of people and nature.

Bees are crucial for the function of many of our crops, and part of the system of producing food such as apples, almonds, berries, beans, eggplants and pumpkins.

Student intake

Open for Honours, Masters, PhD students

People

A range of post-grad projects that can be formulated to suit Honours, Masters or PhD. These will cover areas such as farm productivity, hydrology, ecological function, and social capital.

Student intake

Open for Honours, Masters, PhD students

Honours / Masters(Adv) project available analysing regional drought resilience plans in collaboration with CSIRO and the Australian Government.

Student intake

Open for Honours, Masters students

People

This research looks at the identifying the costs and benefits of different trade off options so that governments in particular, and societies more broadly, can take better informed decisions around water use in China & SE Asia.

People

  • David Dumaresq

Members

Affiliate

Honorary Associate Professor

Honorary Senior Lecturer

Honorary Professor

No photo provided

Honorary Senior Lecturer

Honorary Associate Professor

Photo of David Dumaresq

Emeritus Fellow

Baihua Fu

Honorary Senior Lecturer

Honorary Senior Lecturer

Academic staff

Martin Amidy

Lecturer

Research Fellow

Research Fellow

News

Bees on Apple Blossum

Why does biodiversity matter to people? This seemingly simple question can lead people in many different directions as they search for answers.

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Dr Jamie Pittock: "We need to pay for betterment. To build things back bigger, higher, stronger, so that they're not washed away next time".

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The workshop aimed at taking stock of participating Australian researchers’ and practitioners’ understanding of food security investments in developing countries.

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Dust storm

Dust storms, dust hazes or the back paddock blowing, seem to be a part of life for many Australians. But dust is the ‘business end’ of wind erosion.

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Tree plantation

Research by Fenner School scholars published last week in the prestigious journal Climatic Change quantifies the trade-offs between sustaining water resources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Australia.

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The growth of China’s cities is increasing wealth in the country, but it's coming at a cost. The economic boom is forcing farmers to move aside and make room for city dwellers.

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Events

A serene rural dam with still, dark water reflecting a blue sky and scattered white clouds. The bank in the foreground is edged with dry grasses and reeds, and contains a plastic crate holding a yellow portable pump hooked up by hoses to a floating sampling device resting on the water. On the opposite shore, gently sloping pasture is dotted with eucalyptus and other native trees under a partly cloudy sky
Friday, 22 Aug 2025, 12 - 1pm

Teal carbon ecosystems are freshwater wetlands, like lakes, ponds, farm dams and reservoirs. Equivalent to blue carbon (coastal wetlands), they can regulate greenhouse gases and mitigate the effects of climate change.

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