Researcher spotlights Meet the researchers behind the Institute for Sustainable Food and discover how their work is helping to create a fairer, healthier and more sustainable food system for people and the planet. You are here Home Institute for Sustainable Food People Researcher spotlights Meet our members Dr Alexandra Boutopoulou Dr Alexandra Boutopoulou explores how access to digital data can support public-interest research, with a particular focus on creating more responsible and meaningful access to social media platform data. Read the spotlight Dr Heather Ellis Dr Heather Ellis leads the ESRC-funded School Meals Service project. Her work investigates how education policy and school food have influenced children's experiences, opportunities, belonging and wellbeing over the past 120 years. Read the spotlight Sarah Thorne Sarah Thorne investigates the role of silicon in improving plant health and resilience. Her current research focuses on whether silicon fertilisation can strengthen plants' natural defences against pathogens, helping to reduce disease impacts and support more sustainable approaches to food production Read the spotlight Dr Alexandra Boutopoulou Dr Alexandra Boutopoulou explores how access to digital data can support public-interest research, with a particular focus on creating more responsible and meaningful access to social media platform data. Read the spotlight Dr Robert Akparibo Dr Robert Akparibo's research explores the links between nutrition, global health and sustainable food systems. He works with communities and policymakers to develop evidence-based approaches that support healthier and more equitable food systems. Read the spotlight Professor Phil Withington Professor Phil Withington is a historian of the early modern period, committed both to understanding the past on its own terms and to bringing historical perspectives to bear on contemporary issues and problems. Read the spotlight Dr Stuart Campbell Dr Stuart Campbell is an ecologist and evolutionary biologist whose research explores the complex relationships between plants and insects. His work focuses on chemical ecology, investigating how plants balance defending themselves against pests while attracting vital pollinators. Read the spotlight Dr Pamela Richardson Dr Pamela Richardson is a geographer whose research explores food systems, social justice and sustainability. Working closely with communities in the UK and internationally, she uses participatory approaches to understand and support transformations towards fairer and more sustainable food systems. Read the spotlight Contact our members We have a wealth of experience in many diverse areas such as plant and soil biology, waste prevention in supply chains, and food justice.
