Future of food and farming: Informing the debate
Future of food and farming: Informing the debate
Professor Paul Wilson
Date: Thursday 7 May 2026, 16:00
Location: Oxford Martin School, seminar room 1 and online
Join us for the first seminar of the summer term for a talk by Professor Paul Wilson, University of Nottingham.
Title: Future of food and farming: Informing the debate
Abstract: The Global Food System has delivered more calories than ever before, yet is increasingly associated with major societal, economic, and environmental challenges. Accounting for around 25% of total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, agriculture has become a focus for commentators' contempt in many circles. However, six decades of advancement in agricultural productivity and efficiency have delivered major per unit of food environmental improvements; future advances in science, technology, and human capital will drive further improvements, yet squaring the sustainability circles remains a key concern. The UK's exit from the EU led to trade challenges and technological opportunities, coupled with internal UK agri-environmental policy divergence. Research led by the University of Nottingham heavily informed the development of the UK Agriculture Act 2020, which was widely recognised for an evidence-informed policy making approach. However, a decade on from the Brexit vote, increased volatility in agricultural input and output prices are impacting on farm profitability and sustainability. This is also set against a background of well-intentioned, but ultimately flawed, emissions trading schemes that fail to account for global trade in food and which may ultimately disadvantage, rather than incentivise, environmentally efficient production. With agri-food policy makers demanding insights and evidence in this complex arena, the Centre for Food Policy and Foresight (CFPF) works with food system experts to facilitate research translation to policy impact. The CFPF's work supporting student internships in translating evidence to policy material enhances both researchers' ability to connect with new audiences and supports students to develop policy-relevant skills and experience.
Professor Paul Wilson is the University of Nottingham's Professor of Agricultural Economics and Director of the Centre for Food Policy and Foresight. He has a wealth of expertise in senior management, delivery of large-scale research projects, and research translation delivering policy and industry impacts. His research interests encompass agricultural and food economics, farm business management, and behavioural change, sustainability and food consumer behavioural understanding. From 2006 to 2022 he led the contract for Defra's English Farm Business Survey (FBS) and is a recognised expert in analysis of drivers of farm business performance. He has been active in research and policy communication through delivery of Government policy focused conferences, verbal input to a House of Lords enquiry, an All-Party Parliamentary Group presentation, and via numerous news and media outlets. Paul holds a Bachelor's degree and Doctorate in Agricultural Economics from Newcastle University. He is also Past-President of the Agricultural Economics Society and a member of Defra's Economic Advisory Panel.
