Dr Tony Carr

Res Fellow in Food Systems, Health

United Kingdom

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Tony

Since joining LSHTM as a Research Fellow in April 2021, my work has focused on sustainability and health aspects in food systems with an emphasis on their resilience and adaptability to environmental change. I have a PhD from University College London, where I researched the impact of climate change and water erosion on global cereal yields in collaboration with the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis. Before my PhD, I worked at the University of Nebraska's Water for Food Global Institute researching yield gaps and water productivity in crop production. I received my MSc in Transnational Ecosystem-based Water Management from Radboud University Nijmegen and the University of Duisburg-Essen, and my BSc in Geography from the University of Bonn.

Affiliations

Department of Population Health

Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health

Teaching

I organise the module "Methods in Climate Change and Planetary Health" for the MSc Climate Change & Planetary Health program. I teach R programming in the MSc Health Data Science and MSc Medical Statistics programs, and contribute to teaching in the MSc Nutrition for Global Health and MSc Global Health Policy programs.

Research

My research primarily focuses on the relationship between food production and the environment, examining whether food systems can ensure food and nutrition security in the face of changing conditions. I analyse the links between agriculture and environmental factors, in particular the interactions between crop production, climate change, farming techniques and natural resources such as soil and water. I also explore how dietary changes and demographic trends influence food demand and assess the environmental impacts of these dietary shifts. I use a range of methods, mainly data analysis, GIS and mathematical modelling such as food system and crop modelling.

Past Projects:

Food System Adaptations in Changing Environments, Africa (FACE-Africa): I analysed climate change impacts on crops and agricultural adaptation strategies in West Africa. I estimated future food demand and supply in The Gambia using food system models and engaged with stakeholders to inform adaptation strategies.

Ongoing projects:

Accelerating Behaviour Change towards Sustainable and Healthy Diets in Europe (ABC-SHEADE): I analyse trends in the adoption of plant-based diets using supermarket data, assessing their environmental impact and the demographic factors driving this transition.
Sustainable and Healthy Food Systems in Southern Africa (SHEFS-SA): I am exploring how underutilised crops can reduce the risk of crop failure and improve dietary diversity in South Africa, Malawi and Zimbabwe.
Visibilize4ClimateAction in East Africa: I analyse future food availability under different climate and land use scenarios to explore their impact on nutrition and mental health of vulnerable populations in East African drylands.