Jennifer Clapp’s current projects include:
Canada research chair in global food security and sustainability
The challenge of feeding the world’s population is one of the most pressing environmental issues facing humanity. Many current food production methods have negative environmental impacts that endanger not only sustainability but also future food security. Environmental sustainability goals, however, have not yet become central to food security governance arrangements at the international level. This research program will deepen our understanding of the challenges involved in incorporating these goals into international food security governance initiatives. It will be one of the first studies to provide in-depth analysis of the linkages between food security, environmental sustainability, and global governance.
Financialization in the global food system
Why and in what ways have financial actors – such as banks and large-scale financial investors – suddenly become so politicized within the global food system? Prior to the 2007-08 food crisis, the role of financial actors in the global food system did not receive much attention from policymakers. This situation suddenly changed when food prices rose dramatically during the crisis, followed by a wave of large-scale land deals and biofuel investments. Many analysts pointed fingers at powerful private financial actors as the key forces driving these trends and the activities of financial actors have now become the target of a number of global governance initiatives aimed at addressing food price volatility, land acquisitions, and biofuels. This project aims to explore the politics of these developments and their implications for the global food system.