BRS Rachel Bezner Kerr: Agroecological approaches for biodiversity, nutrition and well-being

host: Hannah Wittman

Title talk: Agroecological approaches for biodiversity, nutrition and well-being

Abstract: There is widespread recognition that current food systems can have negative biodiversity and other environmental and social impacts, with growing calls for new approaches to the way food is produced and consumed. One such approach is agroecology, a holistic approach to food systems that incorporates social and ecological principles. In this presentation Dr. Bezner Kerr will give an overview of long-term participatory research in Malawi on agroecological approaches as well as global assessments, to examine the evidence for agroecology supporting biodiversity alongside nourishing food systems.

Short biography: Rachel Bezner Kerr is a Professor in Global Development, and the Director of the Institute for African Development at Cornell University. She does research in Africa on agroecology, climate change adaptation, social inequalities, food security and nutrition. Dr. Bezner Kerr is a lead author for the upcoming report for the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). She was also a contributing author to the UN High Level Panel of Experts 2019 report on Agroecology.