Global Agriculture and Food Systems

16/09/2026

JOB OPPORTUNITY: We are seeking a Research Assistant in Social Network Analysis to help increase the understanding of the networked flow of climate information among pastoralists in Africa.

In this role, the research assistant will carry out field-based research in Northern Kenya and Southern Ethiopia using social network analysis.

Familiarity with mixed methods approach that combine semi-structured interviews, and survey methodologies will be essential, and language skills in Kiswahili or Borana are highly desirable. The successful candidate should also have a familiarity with R or Python, in order to organise data and visualise the social network captured in the field.

Salary: £34,610 - £39,906 (pro rata).

For more information on this part-time (17.5 hours a week), 12-month fixed-term contract, visit: https://edin.ac/4hhF8kG

If you require the job description in an alternative format, please contact HR by email at [email protected].

Applications close at 23:59 on 24 September 2026.

30/07/2026

From August 2026, we will no longer be posting on Facebook, and messages to this account will not be read.

Please join us on our LinkedIn channel for news of our research, events and other activities at https://www.linkedin.com/company/global-agriculture-food-systems.

Many thanks to all our followers.

Global Agriculture and Food Systems | 2,308 followers on LinkedIn. Working to improve the effectiveness and sustainability of agri-food systems. | Healthy people and a healthy planet, through regenerative and ethical food and land use systems. The Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Systems is a....

28/07/2026

Today is World Nature Conservation Day, recognising the importance of protecting biodiversity and the ecosystems that support life on Earth.

Our researcher Dr Steph Smith reflects on a rare encounter with a juvenile blue shark in Weymouth Harbour, exploring what its behaviour could tell us about this near-threatened species and why recording wildlife sightings can support marine conservation.

Read more: https://edin.ac/4h0p888

03/07/2026

Making small, gram-for-gram substitutions of red meat with foods such as beans, vegetables and eggs could improve health and reduce greenhouse gas emissions without increasing the overall cost of a food shop, according to new research.

Scientists modelled 33 dietary scenarios and found that modest, realistic substitutions in everyday meals could support better nutrition, lower environmental impacts and help meet climate targets.

The research was published in Nature Food.

Read more: https://edin.ac/4vf2V9v

09/06/2026

People in Scotland eat out regularly, and often reach for convenient foods that are high in calories, fat, salt and sugar, a study has found.

Scotland’s food and drink sector should be supported to improve the offer of healthier options that are tasty, quick and convenient, researchers say.


Food Standards Scotland
https://edin.ac/4eg0nlh

12/05/2026

Today is International Day of Plant Health.

Dr Alfy Gathorne-Hardy discusses how more diverse cropping systems could help reduce the impact of insect pests as the climate warms.

He explores how approaches such as intercropping may support biodiversity, improve natural pest control and reduce reliance on insecticides in future farming systems.

Read the full article: https://edin.ac/3RzvUXu

06/05/2026

Small, targeted food swaps could benefit both health and the environment.

Research using real-world shopping data suggests that replacing commonly consumed animal products, particularly processed meats, with plant-based alternatives can reduce environmental impacts while maintaining nutritional quality.

Read more:

Replacing specific animal products with the most consumed plant-based alternatives to meat and dairy can deliver environmental and health benefits for people, a study shows.

04/05/2026

Professor Lindsay Jaacks explores how the Poshan Tracker - a smartphone app used to monitor child growth and nutrition services - can better turn data into practical action by frontline workers in communities, in this op-ed for The Tribune India.

Read the full piece:

Poshan Tracker has the potential to translate routinely collected growth data into meaningful decisions at the last mile.