Claire Kanja from Rothamsted has been named winner of the first ever Global Food Security science communication competition ‘Speak Up for Food Security’. Dr Lauren McGale from the University of Liverpool was announced as the runner-up.
12 finalists from a range of disciplines competed to win the Global Food Security (GFS) Programme’s first ever ‘Speak Up for Food Security’ competition in London on Friday 15 March, following an intensive training course in science communication.
The early career researchers presented their 3-minute talks to a judging panel of researchers and communicators, including BBC presenter Dr Adam Rutherford and Director of the GFS programme Dr Riaz Bhunnoo. Both the winner Claire Kanja and runner-up Lauren McGale will be presenting alongside GFS at Cheltenham Science Festival 2019.
Winner Claire Kanja from Rothamsted Research said:
“This has been an amazing opportunity to meet fellow researchers from other disciplines, and work together to come up with innovative ideas and potential collaborations to achieve our combined aim of protecting the future of global food security. Winning the Speak Up for Food Security competition has given me the confidence to engage more with public outreach and I’m really excited for the chance to share my research with the Cheltenham Science Festival.”
Launched in January 2019, the ‘Speak Up for Food Security’ competition welcomed all UKRI council-funded PhD students and post-docs who recognise the food security implications of their research. Finalists were challenged to develop engaging 3-minute talks about their research in the context of food security and the wider food system through compelling narrative and story-telling.
Director of the Global Food Security Programme, Dr Riaz Bhunnoo, said:
“Developing healthy, sustainable and resilient food systems by 2050 will require action now. I’m delighted this competition has highlighted the breadth of research and the very talented early career researchers seeking to tackle this global food security challenge.”
Claire, who is working towards a PhD in plant sciences at Rothamsted , is seeking to establish how the fungus that causes the devastating wheat disease Fusarium Head Blight controls its host and successfully infects wheat. Lauren is conducting postdoctoral research at the University of Liverpool, investigating the psychology of eating behaviour, specifically marketing and food promotion.
ENDS