Meet the teams: From slavery to sustainability, Rounaq focuses on human behaviour in food systems

Continuing our series of “meet the team” blogs, today we meet another member of the Food Technology and Innovation Department, lecturer Dr Rounaq Nayak.

“My specialism is in applying human factors methods to improve resilience in food systems, with a special interest in labour conditions and modern slavery, and designing and implementing change in food environments”, explained Rounaq, a social scientist.

He has a keen interest in understanding the impact of change on human behaviour. Specifically, Rounaq is interested in understanding and exploring the negative impacts of change on the food system, and identifying how change can be managed positively. In addition to carrying out research in the food sector, Rounaq also has experience in the healthcare sector at the Oxford University Hospitals. He currently contributes to modules in ethics, policy, sustainability, issues in global food systems and food security.

“Global slavery generates over £116bn in profits every year, more than one-third of which is generated in developed countries, including the EU and the UK,” explains Rounaq. “I and interested in exploring why labour conditions in many parts of the world in the food sector are still breaking a lot of national laws and international conventions.

“That people will not strictly adhere to every single protocol is a given - what I am interested in is understanding how we should design food systems such that we would achieve maximum compliance while ensuring food and people safety and happiness at every point along the food value chain.”

Our Food Technology and Innovation Department, has staff with expertise in every step of the food chain, from farm gate to plate.  If any of the above topics intrigue you, explore our undergraduate or postgraduate degree opportunities.