Atlantic Circle - InConversation: Global Challenges in Land Use

Professor Joanna (Jo) Price (UWCA '77) was appointed Vice-Chancellor of the Royal Agricultural University (RAU) in 2016. A qualified veterinary surgeon, she worked in clinical veterinary practice for a number of years.  

The focus of Jo's talk was on land use, a finite commodity that, if appropriately managed, is key to increasing biodiversity and tackling the major global challenges of food security and climate change.

Traditionally tackling the escalating problem of food security has involved production systems focused on yield rather than on sustainability. Changing consumer demands (e.g. increased meat consumption globally), are also having a devastating impact on land usage and biodiversity.

Decision makers face critical choices; if land use strategies are adopted that focus on the Paris Agreement and climate action, biodiversity is likely to decrease, whereas prioritising the SDGs has the potential to increase biodiversity. The national context also is critical - how dependent is a country on global trade? Science and a robust evidence base must underpin the decisions of policy makers, but a multidisciplinary approach is critical and a greater focus on stakeholder action.  

In this talk, Jo examined the skills and knowledge required for a land-based career. She also reflected on her career and how serendipity and values, shaped by her time at UWC Atlantic, have played a role in her decision making.