Water and food supply chains
Groundwater irrigation is increasingly important in agricultural production, nearly tripling since records began in 1950. Increased reliance on groundwater and prolonged unsustainable pumping of aquifers has led to groundwater depletion in many areas. Yet, irrigation enables producers to buffer agricultural production and supply chains against weather risks, such as drought. This talk will examine the relationship between groundwater irrigation, agricultural production, and supply chains. Specifically, the role of groundwater irrigation in the food supply chains of the United States and China, two key countries in the global food trade, will be presented.
Event Type: In-Person Event
Date: 02 March 2023 (Tuesday)
Time: 17:00 – 18:00 GMT*
Venue: Place Suite, School of Geography and the Environment
Register for the event here.
* This event will be followed by an informal chat over Tea/Drinks for another hour.
Speaker Profile
Dr Megan Konar
Associate Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Megan Konar is an associate professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Prof Konar’s research focuses on the intersection of water, food, and trade. Her research is interdisciplinary and draws from hydrology, environmental science, and economics. Dr. Konar received a PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Princeton University in 2012, MS in Water Science, Policy and Management from Oxford University in 2005, and BS in Conservation and Resource Studies from UC Berkeley in 2002. She was recently awarded the NSF CAREER award and Early Career Award from AGU Hydrologic Sciences. She is interested in discussing possible doctoral research opportunities at the University of Illinois with interested students. Here is the speakers website: http://mkonar.cee.illinois.edu and email address: mkonar@illinois.edu
Research Interest Water-food-trade, water resources sustainability, food trade networks, infrastructure, water and food policy
This event is hosted by the Oxford Water Network. This event is part of the OWN Hilary Term 2023 Seminar Series on “Water and Health in a Changing Climate”. Look out for the upcoming seminars on the links between climate change and environmental antimicrobial resistance transmission, safe sanitation, and water-borne disease.
