Understanding New Zealand values for the future of the food system

The NZ food system is complex, including what we produce, the resources needed, the final uses of produced commodities, and consequences of production and use. It’s also constantly evolving.

There are many views on the ideal future of the system and the path that must be taken to achieve this future. However, there is limited understanding of the areas of agreement and of tension across these diverse viewpoints and the extent that individuals, organisations and sectors are implicitly or explicitly making trade-offs across the various dimensions of the food system: environmental, economic, and human outcomes.

The aim of this PhD is to help fill this gap in our understanding. Enhancing our knowledge of the factors underlying the divergent views will help identify the key barriers to development of a shared vision for the food system which is an important precursor to the transition process.

The PhD is aligned with the Kai anamata mō Aotearoa Research Programme, which, as one of its deliverables, will produce a computational model of the NZ food system allowing for future scenario testing.

It is envisaged that the PhD will likely involve:

1. Design of an appropriate framework and identification of techniques (for example conjoint analysis or multi-criteria decision making) for assessing the values and priorities for the future of the NZ food system across a diverse range of food system stakeholders.
2. Undertaking the assessment with food system stakeholders, leveraging the results of the food system model to map the values and priorities of stakeholders.
3. Identifying the key areas of agreement and tension across stakeholders and the extent they may act as barriers to achieving a shared vision.
4. Using behavioural science techniques to assess how access to new information (i.e. that generated by the food system model) may change attitudes and reduce tensions and the possible implications for aiding a transition of the food system.

The PhD is hosted by Lincoln University, in Lincoln, Canterbury, New Zealand. It will also be affiliated with the Riddet Institute, a New Zealand Centre of Research Excellence, benefiting from the student programmes run by the Institute.

Value

The 3.5 year scholarship includes an annual tax-free stipend of NZD$35,000 and tuition fees.

Closing date

5 pm, 16 August 2024 (NZ time)

Selection criteria

The ideal candidates must have:

• A First-Class Honours or Second-Class Honours (Division I) Masters degree (or equivalent) or BSc degree with Honours (or equivalent) in a relevant area (e.g. social science, geography, agriculture)
• Motivation and independence to complete a PhD within 3.5 years
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to learn, work independently and collaboratively, adapt to change, and plan, organise and implement projects in a timely manner; and
• Demonstrated high ethical standards, diligence, integrity, professionalism, politeness and courteousness, and be able to effectively work in a diverse team.

Availability

From October 2024

Further information and how to apply 

The application must include:

• Cover letter (1-2 pages), explaining your interest and why you think you are well suited to the position
• CV (summarising education, employment, scientific outputs, names of 3 references)
• Copies of educational certificates and transcript of records
• A sample of your academic writing (e.g. thesis/dissertation/report, journal article, etc.)

Questions about the position may be directed to Prof Alan Renwick: [email protected]

Applications should be sent to [email protected] and must arrive by 5 pm (NZ Time) on Friday 16 August 2024.